According to information from two US officials who are knowledgeable about the visit's arrangements, it is anticipated that US President Joe Biden will engage in discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to the White House this week. Wang Yi, China's chief diplomat, is scheduled to meet with Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, at the White House on Friday, and there is a possibility that he may also have an in-person encounter with President Biden. The White House has chosen not to provide any comments on the matter.
The precise nature and extent of their interaction remain uncertain at this time. Nevertheless, even a casual greeting would represent a significant engagement for President Biden with the Chinese government, marking his highest-ranking interaction since his brief encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping's second-in-command, Premier Li Qiang, during the G20 summit in New Delhi.
These developments coincide with ongoing efforts by both US and Chinese officials to arrange a long-anticipated one-on-one meeting between President Biden and President Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for November in San Francisco. The two leaders previously met at a summit in Bali last November.
During his visit to Washington from Thursday through Saturday, Wang Yi is also expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Earlier this summer, several senior US officials, including Secretary Blinken, held discussions with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing.
Wang Yi serves as the chief foreign affairs official in the Chinese Communist Party and also holds the position of foreign minister since the removal of Qin Gang in July.
President Biden, during a press conference on Wednesday, articulated his intention to engage in competition with China, but within the framework of international regulations, encompassing economic, political, and other dimensions. He also conveyed a warning to Chinese officials against exhibiting aggression towards the Philippines.
On the other hand, President Xi, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed China's readiness to collaborate with the United States while both sides address their differences and work together to address global challenges, as reported by Chinese state media.
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