US-China Summit to Address North Korean Arms Trade and Global Issues
By: Cho Sang-jin, VOA News
A high-ranking US government official has revealed that the upcoming US-China summit will focus on addressing a wide range of global issues, including concerns about the North Korean-Russian arms trade and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
During a press briefing on the 10th, the official announced that President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet for a face-to-face summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco on the 15th. This marks the second in-person meeting between the two leaders since the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, a year ago.
Among the key issues to be discussed at the summit, the official highlighted the need for open communication channels, responsible competition, and regional and global transnational challenges. The ongoing concerns regarding North Korean provocations and the arms trade with Russia were also emphasized.
Regarding the stance on North Korea and Russia, the US government expressed the intention to address these issues with China, which has significant influence over North Korea. The official stated, “We will also reiterate our willingness to engage in diplomacy with North Korea and our determination to take steps to curb provocations and pursue complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
However, the Chinese government has pushed back on perceived expectations from the US, stating that North Korea and Russia are sovereign nations and emphasizing their commitment to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue.
Besides the North Korean issue, the summit is expected to cover other regional and global challenges, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, drug trafficking, climate change, and Chinese fentanyl smuggling. The US government also indicated that differences, such as human rights, cross-strait issues, and fair competition, will be addressed during the discussions.
Additionally, the US government aims to reaffirm its one-China policy and emphasize its commitment to maintaining peace and stability, further highlighting its longstanding policy of not supporting Taiwan independence.
Overall, the upcoming US-China summit is anticipated to produce significant results in managing the complex relationship between the two nations. The official expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the meeting, suggesting that it will establish a framework for successfully managing the challenging aspects of the relationship.
This face-to-face summit between President Biden and President Xi will mark the seventh communication between the two leaders since the inauguration of the Biden administration in January 2021, signifying the importance of ongoing dialogue and engagement between the US and China on critical global issues.
A high-ranking US government official said that the issue of North Korea will also be an important issue discussed at the US-China summit held on the 15th. In particular, the United States explained that it would emphasize the North Korean-Russian arms trade, concerns about North Korean provocations, and the decision to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Reporter Cho Sang-jin reports.
A senior US government official announced that President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet for a face-to-face summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco on the 15th.
[미 정부 고위 당국자] “President Biden will indeed meet with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China in the San Francisco Bay area of California on November 15. I think some of you remember but their last meeting was a year ago in person in Bali, Indonesia on the sidelines of the G 20. During their session next week, we anticipate that the leader leaders will discuss issues in the PRC bilateral relationship that remain important, strengthening open lines of communication, and managing competition responsible, and a range of regional global and transnational issues. “
A senior US government official revealed this at a press briefing on the 10th and explained that this is the second face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since they met at the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia a year ago .
Specifically, regarding the agenda of the meeting, he said, “The two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening open communication channels and the continued importance of managing responsible competition in bilateral relations, as well as a variety of regional and global issues and transnational issues.”
At the same time, he made it clear that issues on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea, would also be addressed as one of the main items on the agenda.
[미 정부 고위 당국자] “I believe that an effective dialogue between the two leaders must touch on regional hotspots especially where US and Chinese interests are engaged. We have watched with some concern the recently escalating relationship between North Korea and Russia directly providing military equipment with North Korea’s ongoing provocations. I think we intend to underline our continued concerns about those provocations to China which remains a significant sponsor of North Korea. We will also reiterate our willingness to maintain diplomacy with North Korea and our determination to take steps to prevent provocations and to seek full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
A senior US government official spoke about North Korea, saying, “Effective dialogue between the two leaders must particularly address areas of regional dispute where the interests of the United States and China are intertwined.”
He continued, “We are watching with concern the recently rapidly developing relationship between North Korea and Russia, the direct provision of military equipment, and the continued provocations of North Korea.”
“We will emphasize to China, which continues to serve as North Korea’s de facto supporter, our continued concern about these provocations,” he said.
He added, “We will also reiterate our willingness to engage in diplomacy with North Korea and our determination to take steps to curb provocations and pursue complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
The Chinese government has strongly opposed the US government’s perception that China, which has influence in North Korea, should play a constructive role in dealing with the threat posed by North Korea.
In response to a question about China’s role in North Korea-Russia arms cooperation at a regular briefing on the 10th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, “North Korea and Russia are two sovereign countries, and both friendly neighbors to China.”
He continued, “In response to the so-called American side’s expectation of China’s role, China has always tried to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and resolve Korean Peninsula issues through dialogue,” adding, “The United States is doing her job well, “I hope so,” she said.
Meanwhile, a senior US government official predicted that in addition to the Korean Peninsula issue, there will be drug-related concerns such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, climate change, and material smuggling Chinese crude fentanyl also on. the table at this US-China summit.
[미 정부 고위 당국자] “We expect they will cover a range of regional and global issues as well, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Hamas conflict. And they will consider how we can work together where our interests coincide, especially on transnational challenges that affect the international community such as climate, anti-narcotics. As is always the case, the two leaders will discuss issues where we have differences such as Human Rights, cross-strait issues, the South China Sea, and a level playing field for US companies and workers.”
In addition, it is expected that discussions will be held on issues that have a difference of opinion, such as human rights in China, cross-strait issues between China and Taiwan, the South China Sea, and issues related to fair and equal competition. about US Companies and workers.
In particular, he explained that the aim is to make it clear to China that any interference or damage by China in relation to Taiwan’s presidential election to be held in January next year will raise strong concerns in the United States.
The US government also stressed that the meeting will reaffirm its one-China policy, focus on maintaining peace and stability, and reiterate its long-standing US policy of not supporting Taiwan independence in an effort to appease China.
A high-ranking US government official expressed expectations about the results of the second face-to-face meeting between US and Chinese leaders since President Biden took office, saying it could produce significant results that differ from the past.
[미 정부 고위 당국자]“I think some of the results are significant. They are just different from the past. And that, I think what needs to be carefully focused on a lot of what we’re trying to do is create a framework for successfully managing a difficult and complex relationship. And I think you’ll see evidence of that next week. “
“Some of the results will be significant and different from what we’ve seen in the past,” he explained, “and we need to focus carefully on what we follow to creating a framework for successfully managing difficult and complex relationships.”
He stressed that “we will see the evidence” at the US-China summit that will be held next week.
The face-to-face summit between President Biden and President Xi is the second in a year since the meeting in Bali, Indonesia in November last year, and including non-face-to-face meetings, this is the seventh communication between both. leaders since the inauguration of the Biden administration in January 2021.
This is Cho Sang-jin from VOA News.
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