China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden shake hands on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14. Photo: AFP
Opinion
Christopher Tang
Christopher Tang
Apec summit: for trade to flourish, US and China must lead global peacemaking efforts
A Xi-Biden meeting could ease US-China tensions and hopefully focus both leaders’ attention on cooperating for peace in the Israel-Gaza war
While economic trade promotes peace, trade relationships cannot be sustained without peace
The Apec summit, set to be held in San Francisco in mid-November, will see 21 global leaders from the Asia-Pacific and North and South America discuss ways to become more interconnected, innovative and inclusive – the economic forum’s three overarching policy priorities.
But, in enabling conversations on the sidelines between these leaders, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum also offers its members the potential to find new ways to bolster peace processes and stabilise conflict-affected areas.
Founded in 1989, Apec is an intergovernmental forum whose members include the United States, China, Russia, the Philippines, Taipei, Chile and Mexico. The common goal is to improve the region’s economic prosperity. But, while trade promotes peace, trade relationships cannot be sustained without peace.
Some Apec members are either involved in conflicts with each other or have different opinions over the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, the South China Sea territorial disputes, or the escalating US-China tensions. These political issues can make it challenging for Apec leaders to focus their discussions on regional trade and environmental sustainability issues.
But this year’s summit can play a pivotal role in de-escalating US-China tensions. And, with any hope, the leaders of the world’s two largest economies will take the lead in keeping the peace.
Already, there are signals that China is interested in discussing various issues with the US.
California Governor Gavin Newsom meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 25. Photo: Xinhua
Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom received a warm welcome in Beijing from President Xi Jinping, after saying: “I’m here in expectation, as you suggest, of turning the page, of renewing our friendship and re-engaging [on] foundational and fundamental issues that will determine our collective faith in the future.”
That same week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington, and touched on how China can play a constructive role in both the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars.
These are setting the stage for US President Joe Biden to meet Xi on the sidelines of the Apec summit. The Chinese president was absent from the G20 summit in India in September and has yet to confirm his Apec attendance. But his presence could bring new hope to world peace.
It would also be a great opportunity to meet other world leaders. Importantly, it would signal China’s willingness to soften tensions with the US as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to escalate into a regional, even global, conflict – and amid polarised world views about the decades of strife between Israel and Palestine.
03:30
Asia’s Muslim-majority countries rally in support of Palestinians as Middle East conflict mounts
Asia’s Muslim-majority countries rally in support of Palestinians as Middle East conflict mounts
Crises create opportunity. The Israel-Hamas war has presented opportunities for both Biden and Xi to demonstrate their global leadership.
From China’s perspective, Xi has called for the country to lead the reform of the global governance system. Indeed, China has been striving to make inroads in the Middle East. For example, the Beijing-brokered deal to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March showed that China can be an alternative power for peace.
Serving as a mediator between Israel and Palestine can be a new opportunity for Beijing to play an even more constructive role in world peace.
From the US perspective, how Biden manages the war between Israel and Hamas will define America’s role in the world order. Israel is a major non-Nato ally of the US, and both countries are bound by historic and cultural ties as well as mutual interests. Last month, Biden proposed nearly US$106 billion of spending for a national security package that included US$14 billion in support for Israel.
US President Joe Biden meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18. Biden has shown unwavering support for Israel’s security over half a century in public life. Photo: Reuters
In addition to funding support for Israel, Biden should leverage America’s reinvigorated diplomacy to sustain its global leadership. The war in Ukraine has proven the value of Nato. The creation of the Aukus alliance in 2021 – with Australia and Britain – has also seen the US engage in discussions with Japan and South Korea.
Last year, the US launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, with 13 countries across the Indo-Pacific, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These diplomatic ties can enable America to work with its allies to enhance security and keep trade open.
In their respective ways, both China and the US share a common interest in playing a significant role to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from escalating further. But keeping peace in an increasingly complex and threatening world may require both countries to cooperate and coordinate their responses.
02:17
China’s Wang Yi calls for ‘in-depth’ Sino-US dialogue ahead of Antony Blinken talks in Washington
China’s Wang Yi calls for ‘in-depth’ Sino-US dialogue ahead of Antony Blinken talks in Washington
This common interest could be a catalyst in bringing Xi and Biden together to discuss the pressing issue at the coming Apec summit. This kind of “jaw-to-jaw” meeting can foster peace.
Indeed, the 1945 San Francisco Conference, where delegates from 50 nations gathered, created the United Nations, which went on to play the pivotal role in the partitioning of Palestine into two independent states in 1947.
The UN’s involvement was precipitated by Britain’s request to address the Palestine problem after the UK incorporated the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which expressed support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”.
On November 29, 1947, the UN approved a plan to separate the British Mandate territory of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. But the Palestinians refused to recognise the UN resolution, which triggered the series of conflicts between both groups.
The UN can still help parties in conflict make peace and create the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. And the Apec summit can be a catalyst for that peace.
Christopher Tang is a distinguished professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management
