Biden and Xi, once travel companions, face off in virtual meeting
LA TimesPresident Biden meets virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Monday. Chinese state media emphasized reports that Biden did not express support for Taiwan’s independence, and it said that Xi accused Taiwanese leaders of trying to “lean on the U.S. to get independence.” “This is a very dangerous trend. China’s ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang, said during the virtual event that the two countries’ relationship was facing a “serious test” but should still seek cooperation. Xi had become president by the time of the second trip, and Biden said “the possibilities are limitless” if the two countries forged a good relationship. Daniel Russel, a former State Department official who works at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said Biden has always believed “that America, as a free society, had huge advantages over China, ones that China could not overcome.” “I don’t think his faith in the U.S. is shaken at all,” he said.