The President of the United States, Joe Biden, stated on Sunday that relations between Washington and Beijing should start improving soon after an incident in which the United States shot down a Chinese balloon allegedly used for espionage. Biden explained that relations deteriorated following his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November.
The decision by Washington to shoot down a Chinese espionage balloon in February sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two powers, leading to the cancellation of a planned visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which was expected to improve relations.
During a press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on Sunday, Biden was asked why a direct line of communication had not been established between the United States and China. Biden acknowledged the need for a direct line of communication and explained that he and President Xi had agreed to meet and establish such a line during the Bali conference, but the incident with the espionage balloon changed everything.
The Biden administration has also angered China by targeting the advanced microchip trade, citing the risks of military use. Biden defended these actions and highlighted that the G7 had warned China about its militarization activities in the region.
Biden emphasized that China is developing its military, and his approach is to ensure the maintenance of the status quo and avoid trading certain products for military purposes. While acknowledging the current tensions, he expressed confidence that relations between the United States and China will start improving in the near future.