Xi Jinping noted to corporate leaders from the U.S. on Wednesday that the two nations must elect to either be rivals or allies. The Chinese president addressed the issue at a banquet in San Francisco that happened shortly after he spoke with President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conclave. In addition, he declared that China would be sending its giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo.
At a dinner in San Francisco following his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping posed the question of how the U.S. and China should navigate their relationship clear of rocks and shoals, without losing speed or risking a collision. The Biden administration is taking an approach of strategic competition with Beijing, restricting exports of certain U.S. tech to China while seeking areas of cooperation, which contrasts with Xi's perspective.
He questioned whether the two sides are adversaries or partners, noting that if they perceive each other as primary competitors, the geopolitical challenge will lead to "misinformed policy making, misguided actions, and unwanted results." Highlighting China's stance, Xi said, "China is prepared to be a partner and friend of the United States," and the guiding principles of their relations are mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
At the dinner, hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, approximately 400 attendees, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, were present. U.S Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo addressed the group, followed by a roughly 30-minute speech by Xi Jinping. He emphasized that the Belt and Road and other China-led international initiatives are open to U.S. inclusion, while China is willing to join U.S. initiated multilateral cooperation. Xi concluded his address with the assurance that, “No matter how the global landscape evolves, the historical trend of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States will not change.”
Regarding previous talks with Biden, Xi asserted that they "concurred to broaden the scope of cooperation and make the pie of cooperation bigger." He added that China is prepared to invite 50,000 American youth to study in the Asian nation during the next five years. Furthermore, he mentioned that China is ready to send its giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo, without indicating when. Last week, the three pandas left in the U.S. on loan from Beijing were sent back to China as the contract had expired. It should be noted that China has regularly lent pandas abroad as a diplomatic strategy.
In his address titled "Galvanizing Our Peoples into a Strong Force For the Cause of China-U.S. Friendship," Xi emphasized that it was wrong to consider China— which is determined to develop peacefully— a threat. He contended that China had no intent of contesting or unseating the United States, and instead expressed a willingness to see an expanding and successful America. Xi also stated that the United States should not stake against China or meddle in its internal affairs, but instead take pleasure in a peaceful, steady, and prosperous China. CNBC's Christina Wilkie and Eamon Javers reported on the occasion at which Xi spoke.
Correction: The summary and key points have been updated to accurately reflect that Xi's dinner with U.S. business executives took place on Wednesday night in San Francisco.
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