Chinese President Xi Jinping held his final meeting with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. During the meeting, Xi stressed the importance of “mutual respect” between the U.S. and China, emphasizing stable relations amid the transition of power to President-elect Donald Trump.
Although Xi did not name Trump directly, his remarks highlighted China’s commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with the new administration. Xi cautioned against rivalry and destructive competition, calling for collaboration for mutual benefit. “China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to ensure a steady transition in bilateral relations,” Xi stated.
Trump, who returned to the presidency following the 2024 election, campaigned on a strong anti-China platform, promising to protect American industries from Chinese competition. He frequently referenced his previous tenure’s trade war with China and accused Beijing of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Xi reached out to Trump, congratulating him on his victory and expressing willingness to work together.
During Biden’s final meeting with Xi, the leaders discussed synthetic drug trafficking, AI development in military applications, and nuclear weapon control. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the “one China” policy while urging a peaceful resolution to cross-Strait differences with Taiwan.
