China, US maintaining 'close communication' to facilitate Xi-Biden virtual summit: Chinese spokesman

Updated: few hours ago

Beijing, Nov 12 (PTI) China on Friday said it was in "close communication" with the US to facilitate the first virtual summit between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden and hoped that Washington will work with it to bring the bilateral ties back to the "right track of sound and stable development." US officials said last month that they had reached a tentative agreement with China to hold a virtual meeting between Biden and Xi before the end of the year, as part of an effort to ensure stability in one of the world's most consequential and fraught relationships.

While some reports said the meeting could take place as early as Monday, both sides have not given any specific details and a firm date.

Responding to a question regarding the Xi-Biden virtual summit at a regular Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing, a spokesperson said that China and the US are in "close communication on the specific arrangements of their leaders' meeting." Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that this year, President Xi has had two phone conversations with President Biden at request. The two heads of state have agreed to maintain regular contact in various ways. "We hope that the US side will work with China to make the meeting a success and bring China-US ties back to the right track of sound and stable development," Wang said in Beijing at a regular foreign ministry briefing.