Biden Voices Concern About Hong Kong Crackdown In First Call To Xi

Washington, United States: 

Joe Biden pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang late Wednesday in their first call since the new US president took office on January 20, according to the White House.

Setting the stage for what could extend the contentious relationship between the two superpowers, Biden offered Xi his "greetings and wellwishes" for the Chinese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year celebrations, the White House said in a statement.

But, laying his own groundwork for Washington-Beijing ties after four tumultuous years under predecessor Donald Trump, Biden immediately challenged his counterpart over China's projection of power in the Indo-Pacific region, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and the oppressive treatment of millions of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.

In the call Biden told Xi that his priorities were to protect the American people's security, prosperity, health and way of life, and to preserve "a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said in a statement on the call.

Specifically, Biden "underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan," it said.

The two leaders also spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and weapons proliferation.

"Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies," the White House said.

In Beijing officials confirmed the phone call, with state media reporting simply that the two sides "exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues."
- Trump's unilateral approach -

It was not Biden's first interaction with Xi; the two met when Biden was vice president in the 2009-2017 administration of president Barack Obama.

But Biden used the phone call to set his own tone for bilateral relations, which became deeply strained under Trump.

Trump took strong unilateral trade actions against China in an unsuccessful effort to close the US trade deficit with the country.

His administration also aggressively challenged China's offshore territorial claims, and punished Chinese industry and researchers for  allegedly stealing technology.

Relations soured even further beginning a year ago when Trump accused Beijing of hiding the origin of the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 470,000 Americans.  

Rebuilding alliances

Speaking on grounds of anonymity, a senior Biden administration official said the new president felt he was in a strong position to advance US interests with Xi.

Washington, United States: 

Joe Biden pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang late Wednesday in their first call since the new US president took office on January 20, according to the White House.

Setting the stage for what could extend the contentious relationship between the two superpowers, Biden offered Xi his "greetings and wellwishes" for the Chinese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year celebrations, the White House said in a statement.

But, laying his own groundwork for Washington-Beijing ties after four tumultuous years under predecessor Donald Trump, Biden immediately challenged his counterpart over China's projection of power in the Indo-Pacific region, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and the oppressive treatment of millions of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.

In the call Biden told Xi that his priorities were to protect the American people's security, prosperity, health and way of life, and to preserve "a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said in a statement on the call.

Specifically, Biden "underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan," it said.

The two leaders also spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and weapons proliferation.

"Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies," the White House said.

In Beijing officials confirmed the phone call, with state media reporting simply that the two sides "exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues."
- Trump's unilateral approach -

It was not Biden's first interaction with Xi; the two met when Biden was vice president in the 2009-2017 administration of president Barack Obama.

But Biden used the phone call to set his own tone for bilateral relations, which became deeply strained under Trump.

Trump took strong unilateral trade actions against China in an unsuccessful effort to close the US trade deficit with the country.

His administration also aggressively challenged China's offshore territorial claims, and punished Chinese industry and researchers for  allegedly stealing technology.

Relations soured even further beginning a year ago when Trump accused Beijing of hiding the origin of the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 470,000 Americans.  

Rebuilding alliances

Speaking on grounds of anonymity, a senior Biden administration official said the new president felt he was in a strong position to advance US interests with Xi.

Washington, United States: 

Joe Biden pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang late Wednesday in their first call since the new US president took office on January 20, according to the White House.

Setting the stage for what could extend the contentious relationship between the two superpowers, Biden offered Xi his "greetings and wellwishes" for the Chinese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year celebrations, the White House said in a statement.

But, laying his own groundwork for Washington-Beijing ties after four tumultuous years under predecessor Donald Trump, Biden immediately challenged his counterpart over China's projection of power in the Indo-Pacific region, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and the oppressive treatment of millions of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.

In the call Biden told Xi that his priorities were to protect the American people's security, prosperity, health and way of life, and to preserve "a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said in a statement on the call.

Specifically, Biden "underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan," it said.

The two leaders also spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and weapons proliferation.

"Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies," the White House said.

In Beijing officials confirmed the phone call, with state media reporting simply that the two sides "exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues."
- Trump's unilateral approach -

It was not Biden's first interaction with Xi; the two met when Biden was vice president in the 2009-2017 administration of president Barack Obama.

But Biden used the phone call to set his own tone for bilateral relations, which became deeply strained under Trump.

Trump took strong unilateral trade actions against China in an unsuccessful effort to close the US trade deficit with the country.

His administration also aggressively challenged China's offshore territorial claims, and punished Chinese industry and researchers for  allegedly stealing technology.

Relations soured even further beginning a year ago when Trump accused Beijing of hiding the origin of the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 470,000 Americans.  

Rebuilding alliances

Speaking on grounds of anonymity, a senior Biden administration official said the new president felt he was in a strong position to advance US interests with Xi.

https://aalrc.instructure.com/eportfolios/11348/Home/How_to_Buy_Ideal_Farm_House_for_Sale

https://canvas.oli.cmu.edu/eportfolios/135/Home/Real_Estate__How_to_Buy_Ideal_Farm_House_For_Sale

https://canvas.oli.cmu.edu/eportfolios/135/Home/How_to_Buy_Ideal_Farm_House_For_Sale

https://canvas.oli.cmu.edu/eportfolios/135/Home/3_Important_Things_To_Consider_When_You_Want_To_Buy_An_Ideal_Farm_House_For_Sale

https://canvas.oli.cmu.edu/eportfolios/135/Home/Important_Factors_To_Consider_When_Looking_To_Buy_An_Ideal_Farm_House_For_Sale