Vice President Biden Heads to China
“Vice President Biden’s trip to China comes at a critical time in U.S.-China relations. With the world economy on the ropes, the United States wants China to float its undervalued currency, respect intellectual property rights, and increase domestic consumption. Fearing the destabilizing impact of rising inflation, the Chinese are desperate to prevent a further round of U.S. quantitative easing and the flow of ‘hot money’ into China. Add growing tension in the South China Sea, reports of extensive Chinese hacking into sensitive U.S. computer systems, and a recent Chinese crackdown on internal dissent into the mix, and the stage is set for some tough conversations,” says Asia Society Executive Vice President Jamie Metzl. “Because the two countries have such a strong shared interest in fostering global economic growth, stability, and security, Biden and the Chinese leaders will work hard to identify areas where the United States and China can work more closely together. How personal relations develop between Biden and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, the likely next president of China, will also be a preliminary indicator of where the critical U.S.-China relationship may be heading.”
Jamie, who is based in New York, previously worked for then-Senator Biden at the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected]