**President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have wrapped up a virtual summit covering issues of contention and common ground.**.
**The nearly three-hour meeting was their first since President Biden took office last January.**.
**Ukrainian Crisis.** President Biden expressed concern about China’s alignment with Russia, noting that an invasion of Ukraine would result in “significant consequences.” If Russia were to invade, the U.S. and its allies are prepared to impose “devastating sanctions” on Russia and Chinese firms that provide material support to Russian aggression..
**Taiwan.** President Biden reiterated the U.S.’s “one China” policy, which acknowledges the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, while allowing unofficial relations with Taiwan. He urged China to avoid any “unilateral action” that could destabilize the region. In turn, President Xi stated China’s “firm opposition” to any moves toward Taiwan’s independence, and warned that “those who play with fire will get burned.”.
**Climate Change.** The two leaders agreed to work together on climate change, and announced plans to establish a working group on the issue..
**Human Rights.** President Biden raised concerns about China’s human rights record, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province and the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. President Xi did not directly address these concerns, but emphasized the importance of “respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”.
**Tone of the Meeting.** The White House described the meeting as “candid” and “substantive.” Despite the competing interests and areas of disagreement, both sides expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue..
**Background.** The U.S.-China relationship has been strained in recent years over a number of issues, including trade, technology, and human rights. The Biden administration has sought to engage with China on these issues while also pushing back against China’s increasingly assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region..
**Next Steps.** The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact, and to continue working together on areas of mutual interest..
**Conclusion.** The virtual summit between President Biden and President Xi was a significant step in the ongoing efforts to manage the complex U.S.-China relationship. While there were no major breakthroughs, both sides expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and to cooperate on areas of common interest. It remains to be seen whether this positive momentum can be sustained in the months and years to come..
