President Biden is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering on Wednesday. This will be their second in-person meeting since Biden took office, although they have had virtual meetings in the past and Biden has met with Xi multiple times before becoming president. This meeting marks the first time they have spoken since their last meeting in Bali, Indonesia, back in November 2022.

The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, or 11 a.m. local time, and will be followed by a solo press conference by President Biden. One of the main goals of the Biden administration for this meeting is to resume military communications between the two countries. These communications were suspended after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year. While diplomatic lines of communication have continued, Biden hopes to restore normalcy and ensure that both countries can easily contact each other in times of crisis.

A senior administration official emphasized the importance of this meeting, stating that there has been a concentration of power in President Xi over the past few years. They believe that to effectively address serious diplomatic issues and potentially influence outcomes in China, a meeting like this is crucial. The stakes are high, and this meeting presents an opportunity for the leaders to engage in frank and productive conversations.

In preparation for this meeting, there have been extensive discussions about the agenda between the two countries. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby highlighted that Biden and Xi have a longstanding relationship and can have candid discussions with each other. The administration is willing to confront areas of disagreement while also seeking opportunities for cooperation.

During the meeting, it is expected that the recent Hamas-Israel conflict in the Middle East will be discussed. The administration also reiterated that it does not support Taiwan's independence but wants to see its economy continue to flourish. Broadly, the White House aims to improve and increase American investment in the Asia-Pacific region, promote better worker standards and cleaner environments, and foster a more inclusive economy in the region.

President Biden clarified that the goal is not to decouple from China but to improve the relationship. He emphasized the importance of the Chinese people's economic well-being and the need to protect trade secrets when investing in China. The administration wants a mutually beneficial relationship where both countries can thrive.

Leading up to the meeting, it has been acknowledged that tensions between the U.S. and China have changed the dynamics of their relationship. The focus now is on managing competition, preventing conflicts, and keeping communication channels open. Restoring military communication is a priority, but the Chinese have been reluctant to do so. The need for dialogue has been emphasized in almost every conversation between U.S. and Chinese officials, yet progress has been limited.

The ongoing silence between the two nations' militaries, which has lasted for over a year, will be a key issue addressed in the meeting. The shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon by a U.S. fighter jet in February has also complicated efforts to restore military-to-military communication. This incident is frequently brought up in discussions about the silence between the two countries.

In addition to military matters, President Biden plans to address various contentious international and regional issues with China. He will express concerns about China's relationship with Iran and underscore the need for Iran to avoid escalating violence in the Middle East. The president's team will also discuss Chinese-made fentanyl, artificial intelligence, U.S. detainees in China, and warn against Chinese election influence operations in the U.S.

The upcoming meeting will allow the U.S. to assess whether China genuinely desires to improve relations or if its diplomacy is primarily tactical and short-term. The personal relationship between President Biden and President Xi, developed over 12 years, adds an additional dimension to the discussions. President Xi's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco will provide the backdrop for the meeting, marking his first trip to the U.S. in six years.