I have heard some Taiwanese political commentators' opinions on the recent Xi-Biden summit, and I think those opinions are reasonable and worth listening to.
1, Beijing and Xi knew the Biden administration had no integrity, wouldn't keep their word, and so could not be trusted. In fact, the entire US political establishment is duplicitous in its conduct.
2, America will not relent on its suppression and containment of China despite the temporary softening of its tone and rhetoric out of political expediency.
3, Xi knew there was a dichotomy of strategic thinking between the two sides. Whereas Beijing focused on the grand strategy and the overall relationship, Washington only wanted to achieve specific objectives like the re-establishment of military communication channels. Something like Beijing looking at the forest, but Washington only wants to look at some trees.
4, the reason why Xi agreed to attend the summit is to show the world that China is still interested in dialogue despite difficulties with the US/West and to reassure the American business leaders that China is still open to business. While Beijing has given up hope of meaningful and constructive relationships with the US Government, it is still focusing its efforts on the business leaders, and the ordinary people with the youth in particular. Hence the purchase of a few million tons of agricultural products and signing the MOU for some Boeing planes (needs clarification on this) as a gesture and symbol of goodwill. One can't really say China has made major concessions to the US, in my humble view Beijing has only given minor gifts as a polite guest. And those military channels can be easily shut down again if America tries anything stupid in the Taiwan strait or SCS.
1, Beijing and Xi knew the Biden administration had no integrity, wouldn't keep their word, and so could not be trusted. In fact, the entire US political establishment is duplicitous in its conduct.
2, America will not relent on its suppression and containment of China despite the temporary softening of its tone and rhetoric out of political expediency.
3, Xi knew there was a dichotomy of strategic thinking between the two sides. Whereas Beijing focused on the grand strategy and the overall relationship, Washington only wanted to achieve specific objectives like the re-establishment of military communication channels. Something like Beijing looking at the forest, but Washington only wants to look at some trees.
4, the reason why Xi agreed to attend the summit is to show the world that China is still interested in dialogue despite difficulties with the US/West and to reassure the American business leaders that China is still open to business. While Beijing has given up hope of meaningful and constructive relationships with the US Government, it is still focusing its efforts on the business leaders, and the ordinary people with the youth in particular. Hence the purchase of a few million tons of agricultural products and signing the MOU for some Boeing planes (needs clarification on this) as a gesture and symbol of goodwill. One can't really say China has made major concessions to the US, in my humble view Beijing has only given minor gifts as a polite guest. And those military channels can be easily shut down again if America tries anything stupid in the Taiwan strait or SCS.
