By Brett Samuels, 16 November 2021 – The Hill
President Biden on Monday raised concerns about China’s human rights record, specifically its treatment toward Uyghur Muslims and the people of Hong Kong, during an hours long meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The virtual meeting ran a gamut of topics, according to a White House readout of the call. The two men discussed “the complex nature of relations between our two countries and the importance of managing competition responsibly.” They spoke about climate change, human rights, Taiwan and economic practices.
“As in previous discussions, the two leaders covered areas where our interests align, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge,” the White House said. “President Biden welcomed the opportunity to speak candidly and straightforwardly to President Xi about our intentions and priorities across a range of issues.”
The meeting lasted roughly four hours.
Biden specifically brought up concerns with China’s behavior in the Xinjiang province, where administration officials have accused the government of carrying out genocide against Uyghur Muslims. Biden also raised concerns about China’s conduct in Tibet and Hong Kong, the latter in which a national security law has been used to crack down on protests.