US and China held a critical Joe Biden Xi Jinping meeting on Wednesday, marking their first face-to-face encounter of the powerful countries' presidents in a year, Reuters reports.

The talks were strategically aimed at mitigating escalating tensions between the two superpowers, particularly concerning military conflicts, drug trafficking, and the realm of artificial intelligence.

Biden expressed optimism, stating that "real progress" had been achieved during their discussions.

The rendezvous took place at the Filoli estate, a picturesque country house and gardens located approximately 30 miles south of San Francisco.

Subsequently, the leaders planned to shift their discussions to a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Addressing the broader context of USA China relations, Joe Biden emphasized the need to prevent competition from spiraling into conflict and urged responsible management of the relationship.

He highlighted the importance of jointly addressing critical global issues, including climate change, counter-narcotics, and artificial intelligence.

Ahead of their lunch meeting, Biden took to the social media platform X, underscoring the significance of mutual understanding "leader to leader."

He stressed the imperative nature of addressing global challenges collaboratively, announcing that they had made tangible progress.

A White House statement affirmed that the leaders engaged in a "candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral and global issues, exchanging views on areas of difference."

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Joe Biden Xi Jinping Meeting

The backdrop of rising tensions between the US and China, spanning topics such as tariffs, semiconductor chips, surveillance, and China's increased militarization in the South China Sea, has prompted US companies to explore options beyond China, including expansion to Mexico, Southeast Asia, India, and even returning operations to the United States.

The APEC summit provided a strategic setting for Joe Biden Xi Jinping meeting, offering an opportunity for dialogue without concerns about optics, Al Jazeera noted.

The meeting aimed to keep tensions in the Asia-Pacific region at a minimum, as the US has no desire for additional conflict fronts amidst ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza.

For China, seeking to stimulate its sluggish economy, the primary goal is to alleviate technology restrictions.

Recent reports indicate a reversal in China's foreign direct investment, with outflows exceeding inflows for the July-September quarter-the first such occurrence since 1998.

US restrictions on the Chinese semiconductor industry, driven by concerns about military use, have prompted shifts in investments to the U.S., India, Malaysia, and Singapore.

USA China Relations After Joe Biden Xi Jinping Meeting

The complex dynamics in USA China relations pose challenges in finding a comfortable equilibrium between the two nations.

The high-stakes Joe Biden Xi Jinping meeting lasted approximately four hours, with Biden aiming to put USA China relations on steadier footing, per CNN.

Amid conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, Biden seeks to avoid additional crises and demonstrate to both Americans and Xi the mutual benefits of an improved relationship.

During the talks, Biden emphasized the paramount need for a clear understanding of "leader to leader," and Xi echoed sentiments that the vastness of Planet Earth allows both countries to succeed.

Despite acknowledging the historical challenges in USA China relations, Xi highlighted the inevitability of the two nations moving forward together, emphasizing the impracticality and severe consequences of turning their backs on each other.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: President Joe Biden greets China's President Xi Jinping in San Francisco - From WBNS 10TV