by India Today World Desk: United States President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he expected to cool relations with China “soon”, after tensions between the two countries experienced a “silly ballooning” that was shot down by the United States, It was a Chinese spy balloon that flew over sensitive military sites. “In terms of talking to them, I think you’re going to see that thaw very soon,” he said.
Highlighting his agreement with President Xi Jinping during last year’s G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, to maintain open lines of communication, Biden said that “everything changed after this silly balloon that was full of spy equipment.” Worth carrying two freight cars.”
Speaking at a news conference held after a three-day summit with G7 leaders, Biden hinted at the possibility of engaging in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.
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He also announced that the Group of Seven (G7) countries have reached a consensus on a unified strategy towards China. The agreed approach stresses the need to diversify supply chains, reduce dependence on a single country.
President Biden said, “We are not looking to separate from China. We want to make our relationship with China risk-free and diversified.” He stressed the growing unity among G7 countries in terms of “uniting to oppose economic coercion and counter harmful practices that harm our workers”.
In a communique issued on Saturday, G7 leaders expressed their shared stance on “de-risk, not de-couple” when it comes to economic engagement with China. However, the move drew a reaction from China’s embassy in Japan, which urged the G7 to refrain from creating confrontations and divisions.
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Regarding tensions between China and Taiwan, President Biden affirmed that most allies share a clear understanding that if China takes unilateral action against the self-ruled island, there will be a response. “We are not going to tell China what they can do,” he clarified. “But in the meantime, we’re going to put Taiwan in a position where they can defend themselves.”
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed on Saturday to maintain the current status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait amid increasing military pressure from China on the democratically-ruled island.
President Biden reiterated the commitment of the United States and G7 allies to refrain from trading materials that could enable China’s production of weapons of mass destruction.
He underlined that such measures were not intended as hostile acts. While President Biden expressed no intention to ease sanctions on China regarding these materials, talks are underway to determine whether Li Shangfu, the Chinese general who was appointed China’s new defense minister in March The restrictions may or may not be eased.