US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet on Monday for their first in-person talks ahead of the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia, the White House confirmed.
The leaders are expected to discuss “efforts to maintain and deepen lines of communication”, competition management and pathways to co-operation, a senior Biden administration official told reporters.
Mr Biden said on Wednesday that he will make “no fundamental concessions” to Mr Xi and that he is focused on determining the respective countries' “red lines” on conflicting interests.
“I've told [Beijing] I'm looking for competition, not conflict,” Mr Biden said.
The leaders have spoken five times since Mr Biden was elected president, but the G20 meeting will be their first in-person discussion.
The White House believes the meeting is important to “establishing a floor” for the Biden-Xi relationship, the administration official said.
“I don't think the two leaders are going to be able to sit down and solve all of their differences to their problems, but this could be an important step along the way,” the official said.
The meeting comes amid increased worries of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, challenging its autonomous status.
Mr Biden drew condemnation from China earlier this year when he said Washington would defend Taiwan if Beijing invaded.
The head of the US Navy said last month that China could attempt to reunify with Taiwan as soon as this year.
Mr Xi said on Tuesday that Beijing will “comprehensively strengthen its military training and preparation for any war”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Pictures of Mr Xi in military uniform circulated in Chinese media this week.
Tension between the US and China over Taiwan escalated when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a visit to Taipei in August, despite warnings from officials in both Beijing and Washington.
Ensuring an open line of communication between the global competitors will be central to the discussion, but there will not be a joint statement following the meeting, the Biden administration official told reporters on Thursday.
“This is not a meeting that is being driven by deliverables,” the official added.
Mr Biden is also expected to discuss co-operation on climate change as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine with Mr Xi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 gathering in person, but may join via video link, officials from Moscow and the host country Indonesia said on Thursday.
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People walk past a billboard welcoming US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Taipei, Taiwan. AP -
A US military aircraft carrying Ms Pelosi makes its descent at Songshan Airport in Taipei. AFP -
Supporters outside Songshan Airport welcome Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Ms Pelosi is visiting Taiwan as part of a tour of Asia aimed at reassuring allies in the region. Getty Images -
A Taipei 101 skyscraper message welcomes Ms Pelosi to Taiwan. EPA -
Ms Pelosi is greeted by Joseph Wu, Taiwan's foreign minister, at Songshan Airport. EPA / Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
Ms Pelosi poses for a group photo with Mr Wu and other officials on the tarmac. EPA / Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
Ms Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit the island in 25 years. Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AP -
Ms Pelosi poses with members of her delegation and Taiwanese officials. AP -
Police officers stand outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
Police officers await a convoy carrying Ms Pelosi outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
Police officers await a convoy carrying Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Throngs of media wait outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
The convoy carrying Ms Pelosi arrives at the Grand Hyatt. Bloomberg -
People hope to take a photo of Ms Pelosi's arrival outside the hotel. Reuters -
Supporters gathered outside the Grand Hyatt welcome Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Demonstrators show their support for Ms Pelosi's visit. Reuters -
The Taipei 101 building lit up with a message reading 'TW hearts US'. Bloomberg -
Demonstrators in Taipei show their support of the US as Ms Pelosi arrives. Reuters -
Not everyone in Taipei is thrilled by Ms Pelosi's visit. AP
