In a noteworthy meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, the optics of a warm welcome and positive interactions marked a departure from the typical rhetoric critical of the US in Chinese state media and social platforms. The hashtag #Planet-Earth-Is-Big-Enough-For-Both-China-And-The-US trended across social media, reflecting a broad perception of a successful diplomatic engagement.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV highlighted Biden’s invitation for Xi to stroll around the leafy estate where the meeting occurred, emphasizing the personal touch as the American leader “personally escorted him to his car to bid goodbye.” This detail resonated widely on Chinese social media, contributing to the positive coverage of the event, a departure from the usual critical tone towards the US prevalent in Chinese media. Anti-US rhetoric, often fueling Chinese nationalism, took a backseat during this high-profile meeting.
The significance of the warm reception and the display of a commanding presence next to Biden is crucial for Xi Jinping. Analysts suggest that beyond stabilizing a complex relationship during a period of economic weakness, Xi aimed to present himself as skillfully steering China’s foreign affairs to his domestic audience. With the Chinese economy grappling with challenges such as a property market crisis, high local government debt, and record youth unemployment, Xi sought to showcase leadership capacity on the global stage.
Xi’s visit to California allowed him to project an image of a world leader on par with Biden. The positive optics were strategically important as they unfolded against the backdrop of economic uncertainties and crackdowns across several sectors, denting business confidence and prompting questions about opportunities in China.
During a press conference with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in California, certain optics were underscored. Wang highlighted that Biden extended a separate invitation specifically for a heads of state meeting with President Xi Jinping, setting it apart from other bilateral meeting arrangements during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Wang characterized the Xi-Biden meeting as a potential milestone in today’s international relations, emphasizing its occurrence during a critical stage in China-US relations.
Xi Jinping also adopted a conciliatory tone during a dinner event with American CEOs, where he posed a fundamental question shaping US-China relations: whether they are rivals or partners. Addressing an audience that included prominent figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Xi cautioned against viewing each other as rivals, geopolitical challenges, or pressing threats. Instead, he expressed China’s willingness to be a partner and friend to the United States.
In the midst of economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, the four-hour face-to-face talks between Xi and Biden were framed as a significant diplomatic event. The Chinese leader’s efforts to navigate this complex terrain were evident in both symbolic gestures and conciliatory statements, reflecting a calculated strategy to reshape the narrative surrounding China-US relations.
As the world observed this diplomatic dance, Xi Jinping’s successful navigation through the complexities of international relations showcased a diplomatic triumph, setting the stage for potential shifts in the dynamics between China and the United States.