Joe Biden

Amid a pandemic and a trade and technology war, foreign correspondents have a role to play in enhancing understanding between governments and peoples.

Nixon and Kissinger had started a good thing going for America over China, but now, their successors want to throw it all away for short-term advantages or purposes which are unclear even to themselves.

The appearance of bonhomie sets the scene for Republicans to run election attack ads against Democrats showing Biden as overly friendly with China.

The meeting produced no breakthroughs, but the fact both leaders agreed to disagree on issues including Taiwan and Hong Kong was viewed as a positive step by observers.

Talks between presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden just may have cleared the air over Taiwan but plenty of challenges lie ahead, particularly on the economic front.

The solution to growing inequality in rich countries is neither freer trade nor protectionism, but training of workers and social redistribution. Globalisation’s social consequences can only be addressed by domestic policy initiatives.

Given China’s manufacturing heft, it is no surprise that it is the world’s biggest carbon emitter. But Beijing is also taking practical measures to transition to a carbon neutral economy, and inspiring other developing countries in the process.

US President Joe Biden said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s failure to attend the G20 and COP26 summits was a ‘big mistake’, but there were practical and political reasons.

Nicholas Burns is likely to be confirmed as ambassador to Beijing and he will have to mind his words to avoid angering his hosts.

China is committed to carbon neutrality by 2060 but in the short term, Beijing simply has to address an energy shortfall and keep the lights on. By moving manufacturing to China, the West has offshored some of its carbon emissions. It is not in a position to criticise Beijing.

Biden’s quest is to ensure more US economic demand is met domestically without further inflaming tensions with China. Unemployment is falling and long-term growth prospects are looking up, but there is still much to do to lure lost productive capacity back home.

Apec nations are failing to deliver on commitments to cooperate on the pandemic and climate change. Unless the US relaxes its grip on global institutions and allows China to play a bigger role, Beijing will go its own way.