G20 summit reportedly skipped by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Biden expressed his disappointment to reporters on Sunday after learning that Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the G20 summit to be held in India this week. While in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden briefly said, “I’m disappointed, but I’m going to see him,” without elaborating.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on August 22 that President Biden will travel to New Delhi, India from September 7 to 10 to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The most recent meeting between Biden and Xi was at the November 2022 G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have significantly deteriorated, notably following an incident earlier this year when a Chinese spycraft traveled across the continental United States. In an apparent attempt to mend tensions, President Biden has dispatched various diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on visits to China in recent months.
Despite Beijing’s objections and outcry, President Biden has maintained his characterization of Xi as a “dictator.” He reiterated this stance during a question and answer session alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in June.
President Biden spoke to reporters after attending mass at St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church on Sunday and acknowledged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s video announcement regarding his intention to request the dismissal of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov from parliament later in the week. However, Biden refrained from making any additional public comments on this development.
BLEEDING GUMS?
When asked about his goals in India and Vietnam, Biden replied, “I want to enhance coordination a bit more. I believe that both countries are interested in strengthening their ties with the United States, which could be highly beneficial.”
Last month, when the White House announced his travel plans, it stated that President Biden and his G20 counterparts “will discuss a range of collaborative efforts to address global challenges.” These discussions will encompass topics such as the transition to clean energy and the fight against climate change, alleviating the economic and social consequences of the conflict involving Putin’s Russia in Ukraine, and bolstering the capacity of multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank, to combat poverty and address global challenges.
While in New Delhi, President Biden “will also commend Prime Minister Modi’s leadership of the G20 and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the G20 as the premier forum of economic cooperation, including by hosting it in 2026,” according to a statement from the White House.
In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Global Trade in Services Summit during the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) via video from Beijing on Saturday.
Xi’s decision to skip this week’s Group of 20 (G20) summit in India underscores the chilly state of bilateral relations. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the gathering, as announced by the Foreign Ministry on its website on Monday.
China and India have witnessed a significant deterioration in their relationship, primarily due to their longstanding border dispute. This tension escalated into a deadly clash in the Ladakh region three years ago, resulting in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers’ lives. Subsequently, it evolved into a protracted standoff in the challenging mountainous terrain, with both sides deploying substantial military forces, including artillery, tanks, and fighter jets.
In addition to the border issue, friction has also mounted over trade matters and India’s growing strategic partnership with the United States, which is seen as a rival by China. Furthermore, both countries have expelled each other’s journalists, exacerbating diplomatic strains.
Recently, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation, adding another layer of competition between them. They compete in various fields, including technology, space exploration, and global trade, which further underscores the complexity of their relationship.