From: Sebastian Smith
Date: November 14, 2022 at 6:25:25 PM GMT+8
To: Wranglers , "Bhattacharya, Megha EOP/WHO"
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Travel pool report 14 - color and full quotes
Pool was sent out after the two leaders spoke. We were in the room for about 12 minutes and they spoke approximately three minutes each.
The tone was relaxed, as illustrated by the way both leaders opened by noting how there is no substitute for meeting in person.
In terms of body language there was a lot of smiling and no hesitation as they initially approached for their handshake.
Here are more quotes:
A good one from Xi:
"The world has come to a crossroads. Where to go from here. This is a question that is not only on our mind but also on the mind of all countries. The world expects that China and the United States will properly handle the relationship.
And here is an - unverified - full transcript of the Xi translation courtesy of one of my great AFP colleagues. It is mostly the official translation but includes a few spots where my colleague translated to fill gaps left by the official version.
The last time we wet was in 2017 during World Economic Forum in Davos. That was already more than 5 years ago.
Since you assumed the presidency we have maintained communication via media conferences, phone calls and letters. But none of them can really substitute for face to face exchanges. Today we finally have this face to face meeting.
From the initial contact and the establishment of the diplomatic relations, to today, China and the US have gone through 15 plus eventful years. We have gained experiences and we have also learned lessons. History is the best textbook. So we should take history as a mirror and let it guide the future.
Currently the China-US relationship is in such situation that we all care a lot. This is not the fundamental interest of our two countries and peoples. It is also not what international community expected.
As leaders of two major countries we need to chart the right course for the china us relationship. We need to find the right direction for the bilateral relation going forward and elevate the relationship
A statesman should think not only about a road where to lead his country also think about how to get along with other countries and the world
Great changes are unfolding in ways like never before. Humanity are confronted with unprecedented challenge. The world has come to a cross road. To which direction should we go forward, this is a question not only on our mind but also on all countries.
The world expect China and US will properly handle our relationships. For our meeting it has attracted the worlds attention. We need to work with all countries to bring peace, confidence on stability and strong impetus to common development.
In our meeting today I am ready to have a candid and in-depth exchange of views with you on issues with strategic importance for China and US and major global issues. I am also looking forward to bringing China-US relation back to the track of healthy and stable development to benefit our two countries and the world.
Biden: again not verified transcript.
Biden: Im really glad to be able to see you again in person. We spent a lot time together back in the days when we were both vice presidents. And its just great to see you. And you and I have had a number of candid and useful conversations over the years and since I became president as well. You were kind enough to call me and congratulate me, and I congratulated you as well.
Theres little substitute, though, for a face to face discussions. And as you know, I'm committed to keeping the lines of communications open between you and me personally, but also our government's across the board because our two countries are have so much that we have an opportunity to deal with as the leaders of our two nations, we share responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from becoming anything ever to near conflict, and to find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation. And I believe this is critical for the sake of our two countries and the international community.
This this is a key to the theme of the COP 27 meeting where I spoke on Friday. And we'll be discussing a lot of these challenges together, I hope, in the next couple of hours. And the world expects, I believe, China and the United States to play key roles in addressing global challenges from climate changes to food insecurity, and for us to be able to work together. The United States stands ready to do just that, work with you, if that's what you desire.
Sebastian Smith
AFP White House reporter
Cell: XXX-XXX-XXXX
@SebastianAFP
