11/16/21, 2:07 PM Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China | The

ping of the People’s Republic of China | The White House

BRIEFING ROOM

Readout of President Biden’s Virtual

Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the
People’s Republic of China
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met virtually on November 15

with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China
(PRC). The two leaders discussed the complex nature of
relations between our two countries and the importance of
managing competition responsibly. As in previous
discussions, the two leaders covered areas where our
interests align, and areas where our interests, values, and
perspectives diverge. President Biden welcomed the
opportunity to speak candidly and straightforwardly to
President Xi about our intentions and priorities across a
range of issues.

President Biden underscored that the United States will

continue to stand up for its interests and values and,
together with our allies and partners, ensure the rules of the

road for the 21st century advance an international system

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11/16/21, 2:07 PM Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China | The White House

that is free, open, and fair. He emphasized the priority he

places on far-reaching investments at home while we align
with allies and partners abroad to take on the challenges of
our time.

President Biden raised concerns about the PRC’s practices

in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as human rights
more broadly. He was clear about the need to protect
American workers and industries from the PRC’s unfair
trade and economic practices. He also discussed the
importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and
communicated the continued determination of the United
States to uphold our commitments in the region. President
Biden reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation
and safe overflight to the region’s prosperity. On Taiwan,
President Biden underscored that the United States remains
committed to the “one China” policy, guided by the Taiwan
Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six
Assurances, and that the United States strongly opposes
unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine
peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

President Biden also underscored the importance of

managing strategic risks. He noted the need for common-
sense guardrails to ensure that competition does not veer
into conflict and to keep lines of communication open. He
raised specific transnational challenges where our interests
intersect, such as health security. In particular, the two
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11/16/21, 2:07 PM Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China | The White House

leaders discussed the existential nature of the climate crisis

to the world and the important role that the United States
and the PRC play. They also discussed the importance of
taking measures to address global energy supplies. The two
leaders also exchanged views on key regional challenges,
including DPRK, Afghanistan, and Iran. Finally, they
discussed ways for the two sides to continue discussions on
a number of areas, with President Biden underscoring the
importance of substantive and concrete conversations.

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