Can the Bali talks give hope of renewed Sino-US relations?

Published: November 16,2022

By Staff Writer 

It was a field day for the international media in Bali- Indonesia When Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the US leader Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The two leaders represent the first two largest economies and the first two military powers in the world. 

For any photograph interpreter the faces of Xi and Biden at Bali meeting show joy and happiness, but intrinsically, the relationship between the two countries is far from the image of the photos. The meeting of Xi and Biden was reported to have lasted more than 3 hours probably giving an indication that the two most powerful leaders in the world had a range of issues to discuss. 

It was good news to hear that Biden said that his country has no intention of having a conflict with China, does not seek a new Cold War or to revitalize alliances against China, and that the US does not support “Taiwan independence”, “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” It was also important to hear that the two leaders agreed to take measures to ensure that Sino-US relations get back on a new footing. 

However, given the US foreign policy towards China that has persisted for decades where China is viewed as an enemy, on the above promise that “US does not support Taiwan Independence, one can say that it is easier said than done.  Although the statement gave some people a ray of hope that things may change, I am not among them. I am the doubting Thomas who wants to see US commitment on concrete actions towards a shift of a new US-China policy. I do not see it coming any time soon.

The first step that the US administration should take as a commitment to improve China- US relations, is to abandon the “Taiwan Policy Act” that is in Congress aimed at raising Taiwan to a major non-NATO US allywith almost full diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state. Biden administration should also stop stockpiling arms in Taiwan and sounding drums of war that, “US forces will defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion,” which begs the question how China can attack its own territory.

If the US is committed to renewed US-Sino ties, there is need for more high level consultative meetings between US and China officials for confidence building and ironing out differences, as well as deescalating provocations. It is important to keep a distance from the red line to avoid unnecessary confrontation.