U.S.-China Relations: What to Know

[Follow live updates on the upcoming meeting between President Biden and China’s leader, Xi Jinping.] No relationship is shaping the planet more. And no relationship seethes, across such a wide and consequential set of issues, with more tension and mistrust. The United States and China are profoundly at odds on how people and economies should be governed. The two powers jockey for influence beyond their own shores, compete in technology, and maneuver for military advantages on land, in outer space and in cyberspace. But they are also major trade and…

Biden-Xi virtual summit: Biden says US and China must ‘not veer into conflict’ – video

US president Joe Biden has told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that he hoped to have a candid conversation about human rights and security issues as the two began a meeting meant to lower tensions between the two global superpowers. Biden added that the two leaders must make sure their relations do not veer into open conflict, including by installing ‘common sense’ guardrails. Biden spoke with Xi over a video conference as the two leaders engaged in their most extensive talks since Biden became president in January. Xi said the two sides must increase communication and…

China’s ultramarathon tragedy and the survivors threatened for speaking out

Zhu Keming in the cave dwelling where he sheltered the stricken athletes When Zhang Xiaotao woke up he was in a cave and somebody had lit a fire to keep him warm. He had no idea how he’d got there. Zhang’s frozen unconscious body had been found by a passing shepherd who’d wrapped him in a quilt and carried him over his shoulders to safety. He was one of the lucky ones. In May this year, 21 competitors died at an ultra-running event in northern China hit by extreme weather…

Talks between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden do not herald a thaw

Nov 16th 2021 BEIJING BASKED in golden sunshine on November 16th as President Xi Jinping spent more than three hours on a video call with his American counterpart, Joe Biden. After months of tensions, the virtual meeting was supposed to show that their countries could manage disputes and avoid a spiral of confrontation. The two leaders’ remarks matched the burst of mild weather. Mr Xi called Mr Biden an “old friend”, nodding to hours that the two men had spent travelling and talking together in 2011, when each held the…

China urges developed countries to take the lead in cutting out coal

As Cop26 drew to a close over the weekend, Chinese media highlighted Beijing’s contribution over the last fortnight in Glasgow. “The Chinese delegation took a constructive attitude, actively communicated and negotiated with all parties,” said CCTV’s main evening news bulletin on Sunday. “[It] provided China’s wisdom and China’s solution …” But when China and India chose the last few hours of negotiations to push for the language on coal to be diluted from “phase out” to “phase down”, both countries came under nearly immediate fire from commentators. Cop president Alok…

China’s Sixth Plenum Report Proclaims Bright Future Under Xi

Advertisement China’s Communist Party issued a report lauding the successes achieved over its 100-year history at the conclusion of the Sixth Plenum of the CCP’s 19th Central Committee on November 11. The report extolled a “glorious journey over the past 100 years” and called on party members to rally around Xi Jinping as “the core.” The four-day meeting was the final plenary session of the current Central Committee, which is made up of 205 full members and 171 alternate members, before a new one is formed at the 20th Party…

Wall Street Is Finally Getting Access to China. But for How Long?

For decades, American banks have been eager to expand their business in China, the world’s second-largest economy. They’re finally getting their way — just as a spiraling corporate debt crisis threatens to rock the country’s financial system and China’s central government takes a stronger hand with big businesses. In July, Citigroup became the first foreign bank to win approval to open a custody business in China, essentially acting as a bank for Chinese investment funds. In August, JPMorgan Chase got permission from the Chinese authorities to take full ownership of…