IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha

Xi-Biden virtual meet: Convergent, divergent and missing points

On 16 November, Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Joe Biden in a virtual meeting arranged via video link. The meeting saw both presidents seated in their capitals and recalling the days when they worked together as Vice-Presidents of their respective countries. Although the meeting was a short one, it opened doors for further summits between the two leaders to ease tensions. A few noteworthy inferences from the meeting can be seen as points of convergence, divergence, while few missed attention.

Points of convergence
In very respectful yet straightforward words, both the leaders conveyed the stance of their countries. President Xi realised that as powerful economies and as permanent members of the UN, a major segment of the responsibility for global development rests on the shoulders of China and the US. President Biden also stated that global issues like climate change and their accountability to other world leaders are core to the bilateral relationship between the US and China. Both the leaders were in agreement that communication channels and direct talks are essential for them to overcome the challenges that they are facing together. They acknowledged the critical stages that both these countries are at and signalled collaborative efforts for the global village. A tone for peaceful development of the world was set through the meeting.

Points of divergence
Even though there was no major discussion in the meeting which did not allow room for disagreement, some details did not entirely correspond. President Xi Jinping emphasized that both countries should run their domestic affairs well and that they should coexist in peace. President Biden mentioned making human rights, economy, and free and open Indo-pacific as a priority. These minute mentions are reflective of the interests that the US and China hold as core. These issues may not entirely correlate bilaterally as the countries have faced problems on the same for a long time now. 

Missed points
The short virtual meeting, first of its kind, did not bring any concrete breakthroughs. This was possibly due to a tactful avoidance of subjects like trade disparities, Taiwanese sovereignty, human rights and ideological differences. The two countries have been engaged in severe tensions for a few years. The COVID-19 origin investigations and Chinese aggression with Taiwan, are some of the immediate triggers. However, even long standing issues like technological blockages and human rights differences were not brought up in the meeting.

Hence, even though the meeting failed to capture any substantial conclusion, it was a huge step in easing tensions and opening roads for further bilateral discussions, going forward.

References:
“Xi calls for sound, steady China-U.S. relationship,” Xinhua Net, 16 November 2021
“Remarks by President Biden and President Xi of the People’s Republic of China Before Virtual Meeting,” White House Gov Briefing Room, 16 November 2021

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Chinese youngsters vouch in for the “new farmers” movement
On 17 November, The Strait Times published an editorial on young Chinese professionals quitting corporate jobs and choosing agrarian lifestyle. The Strait Times says that millions of young Chinese are quitting their jobs in urban cities. The youngsters feel uninspired in the modern society lifestyle with long work hours, Meagre pay, urban congestion and high living costs. According to the government, around 20 million people have joined the “new farmer” movement. The movement is to bring tech- and business-savvy millennials bringing in new ideas into the agricultural sector with the government providing financial and policy supports. (“ China's millennial 'new farmers' opt to live off the land,” The Strait Times, 17 November 2021)

Government secures energy for continuous production and addresses shortage concerns 
On 16 November, the National Development and Reform Commission spokesperson Meng Wei addressed a press conference and assured that the country had sufficient energy to support the economy due to the government’s efforts in ramping up energy production and secured enough energy for the industries to carry out their activities without any obstacles. Wei said, “China has worked to boost coal production and bring coal prices back to a reasonable range.” The most recent data shows that the government body responsible for securing energy supply has successfully increased its output and reduced prices in the last month. (“China increases energy supply, calming stagflation concerns,” Xinhua Net, 16 November 2021)

TECHNOLOGY
PLA uses drone technology to capture terrorists in the Xinjiang border
On 16 November, Global Times covered a report by China Central Television (CCTV) and disclosed that the use of drones in the Tacheng Prefecture in the Xinjiang region was helping the border security forces to carry out difficult tasks with great ease and in a shorter time period. The report also explained one of the missions carried out by the drones where it located and tracked the movement of escaped terrorists who were hiding in trees and snow. The drones are advanced and use thermal imaging to track the suspects in one third the usual time. (“Drones cut task time by a third for Xinjiang border missions,” Global Times, 16 November 2021)

REGIONAL
Global Times says the new Indian ambassador to China is unlikely to bring “immediate changes”
On 16 November, Global Times reported on the Indian diplomat Pradeep Kumar Rawat who is posted as Indian’s new ambassador to China. Global Times claims the diplomat who is a “China expert” according to the Indian media is not likely to bring ‘immediate changes’ to India-China bilateral relations. Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University said, “As a diplomat knowing China, he understands cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation hurts both countries,” reported Global Times. (“India reportedly to appoint ‘China expert’ as new ambassador, ‘unlikely to bring immediate changes to bilateral ties’,” Global Times, 16 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
4th China-Africa Local Government Cooperation conference
On 16 November, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addressed the 4th Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation via video link. 300 political leaders from African countries and officials of local governments and relevant institutions from China attended the conference both online and offline. Li said that China and Africa should expand “pragmatic cooperation” to create a better future for Chinese and African people. He declared that the China-Africa friendship is unbreakable and China will aid Africa with vaccines and work towards the development. China is willing to further align each other's development strategies, strengthen the exchange of experiences in urban governance, poverty eradication, social construction and agricultural modernization, and promote cooperation between friendship cities, said Li. (“Chinese Premier stresses closer China-Africa local government cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 16 November 2021)

US economist appreciated China’s role in the US
On 17 November, People’s Daily reported that renowned US Economist Jeffrey Sachs stated in an interview with Xinhua that China’s entry into the World Trade Organization was a significant push to globalization. According to Sachs, the decision by China to become a part of the WTO benefited the country immensely and also profited the global economy in the last two decades. He noted that the country had become a major trading partner for almost all countries in the world and said: "Without China's membership in WTO, a lot of economic growth and integration would not have taken place." (“China's WTO entry facilitates globalization, benefits global growth -- U.S. economist,” People’s Daily, 17 November 2021)

China replaces the US as the world’s wealthiest in latest McKinsey report
On 16 November, the Times of India referred to a report published by McKinsey & co. on 15 November on the surge of global wealth and reported that China had overtaken the US to become the wealthiest country in the world. The report also observed that the global wealth has tripled in the last two decades. The Global net worth had risen from USD 156 trillion to USD 514 trillion in 2020 and China was responsible for almost one0third of the increase. (“Global wealth surges as China overtakes US to grab top spot” Times of India, 16 November 2021)