Joe Biden and Xi Jinping will hold a virtual meeting, part of an effort to ensure stability in one of the world’s most consequential and fraught relationships

The US and China have agreed in principle to conduct a virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping before the end of the year.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Relations Commission, met in Switzerland on Wednesday to increase communication between the escalating strategic rivalry and tension between the two countries. Sullivan had his first face-to-face meeting with Yang after meeting with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Alaska last March.

While both Beijing and Washington said the six-hour talks were constructive and sincere, the US side said the stance was very different from that in Alaska. “Other than this meeting, we have an agreement in principle to hold a virtual bilateral summit before the end of the year,” the US official told reporters.

The same official described the meeting as “more meaningful and tangible engagement than has had to date below the leadership level” and added that Washington hopes it will “be a model for future talks.”

“What we’re trying to achieve is to create a stable situation between America and China where we can compete intensely but manage that competition responsibly.”

Taiwan is One of the Issues Causing Tension

Taiwan is one of the issues that cause tension between the two countries. Taiwan recently stated that 148 Chinese air force aircraft entered the south and southwest of the air defense area for four consecutive days from Friday.

The United States warned China on Sunday not to engage in provocative military activities near Taiwan. Biden said on Tuesday that he had spoken to Xi about Taiwan, and they agreed to abide by the “Taiwan agreement.”

The White House stated that Sullivan would also visit Brussels and inform NATO, European Union, and Paris officials about his meeting with Yang.