Washington, D.C. – US and Chinese officials are expected to hold face-to-face talks for the first time since November on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, India next week, according to people familiar with the planning. They plan to discuss the war in Ukraine, Taiwan, climate change, and global economic issues including the semiconductor supply chain and sanctions on Russia.
The meeting, scheduled for March 1-2, is expected to be the highest-level in-person contact between US and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last met in November in Bali, Indonesia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang are expected to lead their respective delegations to the meeting. The two sides are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the war in Ukraine, Taiwan, climate change, and global economic issues.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China. The Biden administration has been increasingly critical of China’s human rights record, its military buildup, and its economic practices. China, for its part, has accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs and of trying to contain its rise.
Despite the tensions, both sides have said that they are committed to maintaining open lines of communication. The G20 meeting provides an opportunity for the two sides to engage in face-to-face talks and to try to find common ground on issues of mutual concern.
One of the key issues that the two sides are expected to discuss is the war in Ukraine. The US has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, providing it with military and economic aid. China, on the other hand, has remained neutral on the war, but it has also criticized the US and NATO for provoking Russia.
Another key issue that the two sides are expected to discuss is Taiwan. The US has a long-standing policy of supporting Taiwan’s self-defense, but it has also said that it does not support Taiwan independence. China, on the other hand, claims Taiwan as its own territory and has threatened to use force to prevent it from declaring independence.
The two sides are also expected to discuss climate change. The US and China are the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and both countries have pledged to take action to reduce emissions. However, the two sides have different approaches to climate change, with the US focusing on reducing emissions domestically and China focusing on developing clean energy technologies.
Finally, the two sides are expected to discuss global economic issues. The US and China are the world’s two largest economies, and their economic relationship is of critical importance to the global economy. The two sides are expected to discuss issues such as trade, investment, and the global financial system.
The G20 meeting is an important opportunity for the US and China to engage in face-to-face talks and to try to find common ground on issues of mutual concern. The meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries, but both sides have said that they are committed to maintaining open lines of communication..
