Lima - US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed that decisions on the use of nuclear weapons should be made by humans and not artificial intelligence (AI). The White House made the announcement after their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit in Lima. Reuters reports that this is the first such statement by the United States and China, both nuclear powers.
Xi told Biden that over the past four years, Sino-US relations have gone through ups and downs, but the two sides have also engaged in dialogue and cooperation, adding that relations have remained stable overall.
Under the leadership of the two presidents, the two teams developed a set of guiding principles for Sino-US relations through consultations, and the two presidents jointly put Sino-US dialogue and cooperation back on track, Xi said.
More than 20 communication mechanisms have been restored or established and positive results have been achieved in areas such as diplomacy, security, economics, trade, tax, finance, military, counter-narcotics, law enforcement, agriculture, climate change and people-to-people exchanges, he said.
Xi stressed that it is useful to take stock of the experience of the past four years and draw inspiration from it. He gave the following examples:
First, it is important to have the right strategic perception. Thucydides' trap is not a historical inevitability. A new cold war should not be fought and cannot be won. Containing China is unwise, unacceptable and doomed to failure.
Secondly, it is important that words match actions. One cannot assert oneself without credibility. China has always honoured its words. If the US side always says one thing and does another, it will damage its own image and undermine trust between China and the United States.
Third, it is important that they treat each other as equals. As two major countries, neither China nor the United States should seek to reshape the other to their own will, to suppress it from a so-called 'position of strength' or to deprive the other of its legitimate right to development in order to maintain its leadership.
Fourth, it is important not to question red lines and first principles. The contradictions and differences between two large countries such as China and the United States are inevitable. However, one side should not undermine the fundamental interests of the other side, let alone seek conflict or confrontation. The One China Principle and the Three Sino-US Joint Communiqués are the political foundation of Sino-US relations. They must be respected. The Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights, China's way and system, and China's right to development are the four red lines for China. They must not be questioned. They are the most important barriers and safety nets for Sino-US relations.
Fifth, it is important to have more dialogue and cooperation. In the current circumstances, the common interests of China and the United States are expanding rather than shrinking. Their cooperation is essential not only for the economy, trade, agriculture, counter-narcotics, law enforcement and public health, but also for tackling the global challenges of climate change and artificial intelligence, as well as international hot spots. The two sides should expand the list of cooperation and create a larger cooperation pie to achieve a win-win outcome.
Sixth, it is important to respond to people's expectations. The relationship between China and the US should always contribute to the well-being of both nations and bring them closer together. In order to facilitate personnel and cultural exchanges, the two sides must build bridges and paths, remove distractions and obstacles, and refrain from any steps that have a chilling effect.
Seventhly, it is important to step forward and take on the responsibilities of the major countries. China and the United States should always keep in mind the future of mankind and their responsibility for world peace, provide public welfare for the world, and act in a way that promotes global unity, including carrying out constructive interactions, refraining from undermining each other, and not forcing other countries to take their side.
Xi noted that the trajectory of Sino-U.S. relations has demonstrated the validity of these experiences and inspirations from the past 45 years of diplomatic relations, and said that if the two countries treat each other as partners and seek common ground while putting aside differences, their relations will make significant progress.
But if they see each other as rivals and seek to engage in vicious rivalry, they will tear the relationship apart or even set it back, Xi warned.
Pointing out that mankind faces unprecedented challenges in this troubled world that suffers from frequent conflicts, Xi said that rivalry among major countries should not be the basic logic of the times; only solidarity and cooperation can help mankind overcome the current difficulties.
He said that the solution is neither separation nor disruption of the supply chain; co-development can only be achieved through mutually beneficial cooperation.
In his view, neither separation nor disruption of the supply chain is the solution; joint development can only be achieved through mutually beneficial cooperation.
He also said that "small yard, high fences" is not what a great country should do; only openness and sharing can contribute to the well-being of humanity.
Stable Sino-US relations are of vital importance not only for the interests of the two nations but also for the future and destiny of the whole mankind, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should continue to explore the right way for the two great countries to get along well, realize long-term peaceful coexistence on this planet and bring more security and positive energy to the world.
Xi stressed that China's goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged; China's commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as the principles for handling China-US relations remains unchanged; China's stance to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged; and its desire to continue the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remains unchanged.
China is ready to conduct dialogue, expand cooperation and manage differences with the United States to maintain the hard-won momentum toward stability in Sino-U.S. relations, he said.
Xi also listed China's positions on issues such as Taiwan, economic and trade relations, science and technology, cybersecurity, the South China Sea, the Ukraine crisis and the Korean peninsula.
He stressed that cross-strait peace and stability and separatist activities in support of "Taiwan independence" are as incompatible as water and fire. If the U.S. side cares about maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, it is essential for it to clearly see the true nature of Lai Ching-te's and the Democratic Progressive Party organs' efforts for "Taiwan independence," handle the Taiwan issue with extreme prudence, unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence" and support China's peaceful reunification, Xi said.
The Chinese people's right to development must not be denied or ignored, Xi noted, saying that while all countries must protect their national security, they should not exaggerate the concept of national security, much less use it as a pretext for malicious moves to restrict and contain other countries.
There is no evidence to support irrational claims of so-called "cyber attacks from China", Xi said, stressing that China itself is a target of international cyber attacks and has consistently opposed and fought against all forms of cyber attacks.
China firmly defends its territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, Xi said. Dialogue and consultation among concerned states are always the best way to manage disagreements in the South China Sea, and the United States should not engage in bilateral disputes over the relevant islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao, nor should it aid or abet provocations, he added.
Xi stressed that China's stance and actions on the Ukraine issue have always been fair and correct. China is carrying out shuttle diplomacy and mediation to promote peace talks, making every effort for peace and striving for de-escalation.
China will not allow conflicts and unrest on the Korean Peninsula, he said, adding that the country will not stand idly by when its strategic security and fundamental interests are threatened.
Biden, for his part, said that the US-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, not only for both nations but also for the future of the world. The governments of both countries have a responsibility to both nations and to the world to ensure that the rivalry does not degenerate into conflict.
Over the past four years, the two sides have worked together to rebuild or create channels of communication, as the two diplomatic and security teams have often engaged in strategic communication and candid and in-depth dialogue, which has helped both sides better understand each other, he said.
In particular, since meeting with Xi a year ago in San Francisco, the two sides have made tangible progress on military-to-military relations, counter-narcotics, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, climate change and people-to-people exchanges, Biden said.
The two sides are supporting each other's bids to host APEC and G20 in 2026, which shows what we can do for both nations if we work together, he said.
The United States does not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to change the Chinese system, does not seek to revive its alliance against China, does not support "Taiwan independence," does not intend to engage in conflict with China, and does not view its Taiwan policy as a way to compete with China, Biden said, adding that the US side will remain committed to the one-China policy.
The two presidents reiterated a seven-point joint understanding on the guiding principles of Sino-US relations, namely, to respect each other, find ways to live side by side in peace, maintain open lines of communication, prevent conflicts, abide by the UN Charter, cooperate in areas of common interest, and responsibly manage the competing aspects of the relationship.
Both sides expressed their readiness to abide by these principles, continue to stabilize Sino-US relations and ensure a smooth transition of relations.
Both heads of state spoke positively about the important role of Sino-US strategic communication, regular contacts between diplomatic and security teams, and dialogue mechanisms on military-to-military relations, economic and trade ties, and financial issues. They agreed to maintain the momentum of communication and strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination.
The two Presidents took stock of the significant progress in dialogue and cooperation in the areas of counter-narcotics, climate change, artificial intelligence and people-to-people exchanges since their meeting in San Francisco.
Both Presidents believed that the two sides had had a frank and constructive dialogue on AI. Both sides shared each other's support for the UN General Assembly resolutions on AI. They also reaffirmed the need to strengthen international cooperation and promote AI for good and for all. They stressed the need to maintain human control over decisions on the use of nuclear weapons. Both Heads of State agreed that their meeting was frank, deep and constructive and expressed their willingness to stay in touch.
Xinhua / photo: Li Xueren / gnews.cz-jav
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