Overview

• President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco this week, marking their first face-to-face meeting in a year.
• San Francisco, known for its homelessness crisis, has undergone a massive cleanup ahead of the summit, sparking criticism and accusations of prioritizing international image over local residents.
• The meeting is expected to address a range of issues, including the reestablishment of military communication between the two nations, combating illicit fentanyl trafficking, and managing competition to prevent conflict.
• China halted military-to-military communications with the U.S. in August 2022, following then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, and U.S. officials hope to reestablish these communications to prevent missteps and maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Despite the tensions, there are signs of stabilization in U.S.-China relations, with recent talks on maritime safety, nuclear issues, and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.