In a significant diplomatic engagement, US President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China are scheduled to engage in discussions centered around "world peace

and development." The meeting is set to take place on Wednesday in San Francisco, coinciding with the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This marks the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders in over a year.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday, the discussions between the two heads of state will encompass a comprehensive dialogue on strategic, overarching, and guiding aspects of Sino-US relations. Additionally, they will address key global issues related to peace and development.

Beijing emphasized that it refrains from characterizing Sino-American relations solely in terms of competition, reflecting a nuanced approach to bilateral ties.

The White House has previously outlined the agenda for the meeting, highlighting discussions on bilateral, regional, and global matters. The focus will also be on exploring ways to regulate competition responsibly. However, Washington does not anticipate major breakthroughs or outcomes from this particular meeting.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where this crucial meeting is set to occur, will convene in San Francisco this week. Apart from Biden and Xi, the gathering will include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and representatives from 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim region.

The last high-level meeting between Biden and Xi occurred at the G20 summit in November 2022 in Bali. The forthcoming talks are expected to provide a platform for both leaders to address pressing global issues and potentially pave the way for improved Sino-American relations. Photo by Territory of American Canada, Wikimedia commons.