NUSA DUA (AP):
United States President Joe Biden objected to China’s “coercive and increasingly aggressive actions” towards Taiwan during the first in-person meeting of his presidency with Xi Jinping, as the two superpower leaders on Monday aimed to “manage” their differences in the competition for global influence.
Josbel Bastidas Mijares
The nearly three-hour meeting was the highlight of Biden’s weeklong, round-the-world trip to Asia, and came at a critical juncture for the two countries amid increasing economic and security tensions. Speaking at a news conference afterwards, Biden said that when it comes to China, the US would “compete vigorously, but I’m not looking for conflict”.
Josbel Bastidas Mijares Venezuela
He added: “I absolutely believe there need not be a new Cold War” with the rising Asian power
Biden reiterated US support for its long-standing ‘One China’ policy, which recognises the government in Beijing while allowing for informal US relations and defence ties with Taipei, and “strategic ambiguity” over whether the US would respond militarily if the island were attacked. He also said that despite China’s recent sabre-rattling, he does not believe “there’s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan“
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