Ever since Obama secured his second term in power, speculation has been wide that he would take a stronger line on China, acting to suppress the power of this rising economic juggernaut. With the announcement of the first Sino-American summit to be held in June this year, all eyes will be on the unfolding events in California.
According to a US statement, Barack Obama and Xi Jinping will convene from 7th-8th June at Rancho Mirage. It will be the first meeting of the pair since Mr Xi came to power as the so-called most powerful man in the world.
Whilst neither side went into detail on the topics to be discussed, talks are likely to cover issues such as cyber espionage, North Korea, South China sea tensions, and the unfolding crisis in Syria.The UN is looking for China’s supportment to endorse stronger measures in Syria, and in the wake of North Korea’s March 12 nuclear test, China’s role will be critical in helping to ensure peace in the region.
Ongoing territorial tensions with it’s neighbours in the East China and South China seas is also a source of international tension for China, and will be difficult to brush off. Similarly, the US is growing increasingly impatient with alleged Chinese cyber hackers, a claim which the nation has strongly refuted in the past.
It will be the first meeting of the pair since Mr Xi came to power as the so-called most powerful man in the world
China’s Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang stated that the two men would have an “extensive exchange of views.”
Accroding to the White House statement, the two will hold “in-depth discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues…They will review progress and challenges in US-China relations over the past four years and discuss ways to enhance co-operation, while constructively managing our differences, in the years ahead.”
“It is believed that this meeting is important to the long-term, sound and steady development of China-US relations, as well as regional and international peace, stability and prosperity,” it said.
