“I feel let down, but I’ll have another chance to meet him,” Biden informed reporters during a press conference in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Sunday, in response to inquiries about Xi’s potential absence from the summit.
Biden did not specify the location for their possible meeting if Xi opts out of attending the Delhi summit. Nonetheless, it is probable that the two leaders will have an opportunity to convene in November when the United States hosts the APEC conference in San Francisco.
According to sources familiar with preparations for the summit, Xi has no plans to travel to India for the event. These insiders, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter, confirmed that Xi’s decision comes amidst escalating tensions between China and India, further straining their already frosty relations.
In Xi’s stead, Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent China at the summit, as disclosed by an informed source. Another government official, as yet unnamed, may also attend in Xi’s absence.
The last interaction between Biden and Xi occurred on the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia, in November. Unfortunately, any progress made during that meeting was disrupted when an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon crossed into US territory.
Profound differences between the two nations persist on various issues, including Taiwan, exacerbated in part by visits from US lawmakers to the island and a trip by Taiwan’s president to the United States. Other contentious matters include Biden’s restrictions on semiconductor technology exports, reports of Chinese surveillance in Cuba, and the aforementioned balloon incident.
In recent months, several high-ranking officials from the Biden administration have traveled to China in an effort to mend relations. Notable figures include Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, climate envoy John Kerry, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
The United States had hoped that the G20 meeting in India could serve as a pivotal step in improving the relationship between the two countries.