Biden resumes U.S.-China Military contacts, expresses hope for hostage release after talks with Xi

Following a day of discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Biden held a solo press conference in Northern California, addressing progress on key objectives between the U.S. and China.

President Biden, “mildly hopeful” about the return of hostages held by Hamas, stated that he is deeply involved in negotiations, ruling out military intervention but emphasizing efforts for their release.

During the conference, Biden revealed intelligence on Hamas operating a command center under the Al-Shifa hospital, stating the conflict would cease when Hamas loses the capacity for violence against Israelis.

In addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the necessity of a two-state solution once security concerns are alleviated.

President Biden and President Xi, leaders of the world’s two largest economies, met at the Filoli Historic House & Garden, announcing the resumption of military-to-military contacts and collaboration on counternarcotics.

Critical developments included the restart of U.S.-China cooperation on counternarcotics and the reestablishment of military-to-military contacts, with policy-level discussions initiated. The U.S. and China are also working together to curb fentanyl production by targeting specific companies.

The leaders engaged in substantial discussions about Taiwan, with Xi expressing a preference for peaceful reunification but hinting at the potential use of force. President Biden emphasized the importance of peace, stability, and respect for Taiwan’s electoral process.

Despite describing the U.S.-China relationship as competitive, Biden stressed the need to prevent it from escalating into conflict. However, he did not retract a previous comment calling Xi a “dictator.”

These developments mark a significant step in addressing key issues between the U.S. and China, with ongoing efforts to foster cooperation and manage competition responsibly.