US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will hold a special meeting on Monday evening, the White House has announced. The meeting, the first since Mr Biden took office, has been going on for some time.

“Following their September 9 call, the two leaders will discuss ways to facilitate competition between the United States and the PRC, as well as ways to work together where our interests are aligned,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. .

“Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing again and again.” Psaki.

Biden requested a face-to-face meeting during the September strike, according to reports at the time. Last month, the two sides agreed to take place almost later this year, when National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese diplomat and politburo member Yang Jiechi in Zurich.

Earlier this year, outlining national security requirements, Biden officials said China was “the only competitor” that could “create a stable and open global crisis.”

It also outlined the Beijing-based approach as necessary (such as seasonal events) and competition when needed. The two countries continue to have strained relations – China’s strong growth in the Indo Pacific, trade, actions in the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic and, more recently, nuclear weapons, which are heavily affected by the US.

Biden and Xi could also discuss visa reduction measures for each other and the reopening of their ambassadors in Houston and Chengdu. Reuters reports.