The Daily Telegraph

Competitio­n with China must not tip us into conflict, says Biden

- By Louise Watt

JOE BIDEN has said competitio­n with China must “not veer into conflict” ahead of his first in-person meeting today with the Chinese president since being elected as US President.

Mr Biden and Xi Jinping will meet on the sidelines of the annual summit of leaders of the G20 nations on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Biden said the US intends to “compete vigorously” with Beijing while “ensuring competitio­n does not veer into conflict”.

Before departing Cambodia for Indonesia yesterday, he told reporters that his standing is “stronger” after the Democrats took control of the US senate.

“I know Xi Jinping, I spent more time with him than any other world leader. I’ve always had straightfo­rward discussion­s with him. There’s never any miscalcula­tion about ... where each of us stands,” he said

Mr Xi had until recently stopped internatio­nal travel because of the pandemic. The pair last met in person when Mr Biden was vice-president during the Obama administra­tion.

Beijing and Washington have disagreeme­nts over multiple issues, including Taiwan, trade and the war in Ukraine.

Mr Biden is also expected to press Mr Xi over North Korea, which the US believes is planning to resume nuclear bomb testing for the first time since 2017. Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said on Saturday that Mr Biden will warn Mr Xi that if Pyongyang keeps on developing weapons, then the US will boost its military presence in the region – something Beijing vehemently opposes.

Mr Biden is also likely to raise the topics of Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s record on human rights and Taiwan – which Beijing sees as the most important bilateral issue.

Both leaders are coming to the meeting emboldened; Mr Biden by betterthan-expected results for his Democratic Party in US midterms, and Mr Xi having secured an unpreceden­ted third term as the Communist Party’s leader.

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