Biden and Xi to Meet at APEC Summit in San Francisco

Delicate Protocols in Focus as Xi Makes First U.S. Visit in Six Years

President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, marking Xi's first U.S. visit in six years.
The meeting's details, including the day and location, have been closely guarded due to security concerns, increasing the pressure as both sides potentially negotiate over meeting time, length, and other logistics.
The plan is to set aside enough time for in-depth conversations on various issues, recalling Biden's nearly three-hour meeting with Xi at last year's G-20 summit in Bali.
The Chinese delegation is expected to push for a venue away from the APEC site and for talks lasting longer than the previous meeting in Bali, indicating their desire for a separate summit.
The meeting's protocol and etiquette are of high importance, with considerations ranging from who enters the room first to the choice of flowers, which can symbolize harmony in Chinese culture.