US President Joe Biden looks on as he holds a press conference about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the start of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Woodside, California, on November 15. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Joe Biden doubled down on his previous comments and called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "dictator" just hours after the two leader met for a summit, which he described as "some of the most productive" talks.
Asked by CNN's MJ Lee if the president would still describe Xi as a dictator as he has in the past, Biden said:"Well look, he is."
"He is a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is communist," Biden said, adding that the Chinese government "is totally different than ours."
Biden says talks with Xi were "some of the most productive" between the 2 leaders
From CNN's Kevin Liptak and Betsy Klein
US President Joe Biden greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in Woodside, California, on November 15. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
US President Joe Biden reflected on the state of his relationship with China’s President Xi Jinping following what he described as a constructive and productive meeting.
He said the talks with Xi were “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had.”
“We haven't always agreed,” Biden said, but his talks with Xi are always “straightforward.”
Pressed on whether he trusts Xi, Biden said, “Trust but verify, as the old saying goes. That’s where I am,” describing the relationship between the US and China as “competitive.”
“My responsibility is to make this rational and manageable so it doesn’t result in conflict. That’s what I’m all about. … To find a place where we can come together and where we find mutual interest, and most importantly, in the interest of the American people. And that’s exactly what we’ll do,” he said during a news conference in the Bay Area on Wednesday.
Biden cultivated a deep relationship with Xi during their time as vice presidents that has since deteriorated. Still, he cast Xi as “straight.”
“I know the man, I know his modus operandi, looked into his eyes – we have disagreements. He has a different view than I have on a lot of things, but he’s been straight. I don’t mean that good, better, indifferent, just straight,” he said.
Biden said the leaders agreed to be willing to pick up the phone if either wants to talk going forward.
Biden says the two leaders agreed on curbing the flow of fentanyl, restoring military communication and working together on artificial intelligence during their four-hour summit.
Biden said the agreement from China to reduce precursor chemicals for fentanyl would “save lives” and said he appreciated Xi’s commitment on the issue.
8:46 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Biden says he reiterated US position on Taiwan during meeting with Xi
President Joe Biden said Wednesday evening that he reiterated US "One China" policy during talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in the day.
"I reiterated what I've said since I have become president, and what every previous president of late has said: That we maintain an agreement that there is One China policy," Biden said during a news conference following the summit, adding "that's not going to change."
Under Washington’s longstanding “One China” policy, the US acknowledges China’s position that Taiwan is part of China, but has never officially recognized Beijing’s claim to the island.
CNN's Eric Cheung and Nectar Gan contributed to this post.
8:36 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Biden raised human rights, detained US citizens during meeting with Xi
President Joe Biden raised areas of concerns about China's actions as they relate to detained US citizens, human rights and "coercive activities in the South China Sea" with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Biden said he provided Xi with the names of those thought to be detained during their meeting Wednesday in California.
"Hopefully we can get them released as well," Biden said at a Wednesday news conference. "No agreement on that."
8:33 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Biden touts resumption of military-to-military communication with China
From CNN's Kaanita Iyer
US President Joe Biden walks to attend a press conference about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the start of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Woodside, California, on November 15. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Joe Biden on Wednesday evening touted that his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping resulted in the resumption of communication between the US and Chinese militaries.
"We're back to direct, open, clear, direct communications," Biden said during a rare news conference following his summit with Xi. "Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real trouble with a country like China or any other major country."
The two countries have gradually been restoring communications after Beijing cut those ties in August 2022, following a visit from then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.
8:22 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
NOW: Biden is speaking at a news conference
US President Joe Biden is speaking at a solo news conference in California following his meeting with China's President Xi Jinping.
8:06 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Xi calls on US not to “suppress or contain” China, Chinese state media reports
From CNN’s Simone McCarthy
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with US President Joe Biden, not pictured, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in Woodside, California, on November 15. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese leader Xi Jinping called on the United States to “not scheme to suppress or contain China” during extensive talks with President Joe Biden near San Francisco on Wednesday, Chinese state media reported.
“China has no plans to surpass or unseat the United States, and the United States should not scheme to suppress or contain China,” Xi said, according to a readout released by China’s state agency Xinhua. “Both sides should understand each other’s principles and bottom lines, not make or stir up trouble or cross boundaries, (but instead) communicate more, have more dialogue and more discussions, and handle differences and accidents calmly,” Xi said, according to the readout.
The two leaders “emphasized the need for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, maintaining communication and conflict prevention," according to Xinhua.
The meeting marked a significant step forward for the two powers, which have gradually been restoring communications after Beijing cut those ties in August 2022, following a visit from then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.
The two countries agreed to resume high-level military communication and cooperate on anti-drug crackdown, as well as resume meetings between their defense ministries and maritime military security consultations, and start talks between leaders of theatre commands, Xinhua said.
7:43 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Xi urges US to show real commitment in not supporting “Taiwan independence”
From CNN's Nectar Gan
Chinese leader Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden the United States should “take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan Independence’,” Chinese state media reported.
In the two leaders’ meeting, Xi urged the US to stop arming Taiwan and support China’s “peaceful reunification,” according to a readout released by Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
“China will eventually achieve reunification, and will inevitably achieve reunification,” Xi was quoted as saying in the readout.
The Chinese leader also noted that the Taiwan issue has always been “the most important and sensitive issue” in US-China relations, according to Xinhua.
Xi’s remarks on Taiwan come as the self-ruled island is gearing up for a key presidential election in January, where tensions with China are set to be a top item on the campaign agenda.
China's ruling Communist Party claims Taiwan as its territory, despite never having controlled the island of 23 million people. Xi has vowed to never renounce the use of force to “reunify” with Taiwan.
8:55 p.m. ET, November 15, 2023
Biden and Xi discussed Middle East and Taiwan, US official says
From CNN's Kevin Liptak
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, on November 15. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Joe Biden did most of the talking as Chinese President Xi Jinping mostly listened in their conversation about the Middle East, a senior US official said.
Biden encouraged Xi to use China’s leverage with Iran to warn against a wider escalation. In the talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said they’d already held discussions with the Iranians on the topic.
It remained unclear to Biden’s aides afterward how seriously Iran was taking China’s messages.
Biden made clear to Xi during the talks that he viewed Hamas as separate from the Palestinians.
The men had a “substantial” exchange on Taiwan and Xi made clear that concerns over the island were the biggest and most dangerous issue in US-China relations.
Xi said China’s preference was for peaceful reunification and laid out conditions under which use of force would be utilized. Biden responded by reiterating the US position was to maintain peace and stability in the region.
“President Xi responded, 'Look, peace is all well and good, but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally,'” the official said.
In the meeting, the US asked China to respect Taiwan’s electoral process in the lead-up to a vote in January.
Despite continuing US concerns about China’s massive military buildup around Taiwan, officials emerged from the meeting believing Xi was not preparing for a massive invasion.
Over the course of the meeting, Xi “revealed quite clearly a deep knowledge of some of the debates about China in the United States and I think in some respects, he’s quite sensitive to come of those discussions.”
