WASHINGTON. As President Joe Biden prepares to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the significance lies not just in the agenda but in the minutiae of diplomatic protocol. Every detail, from the greeting to the seating arrangement, carries weight in this diplomatic dance between two global powers.
China’s meticulous attention to etiquette, coupled with the delicate balance of U.S.-China relations, transforms seemingly trivial matters into meaningful considerations. Senior administration officials describe the planning as “pretty intense,” emphasizing the need to navigate cultural, political, and logistical intricacies.
The meeting, shrouded in secrecy, adds pressure as both sides haggle over basics like meeting duration, room entry sequence, and even the choice between a table or easy chairs. The plan is to allocate ample time for in-depth discussions, echoing Biden’s lengthy meeting with Xi last year before the G-20 summit in Bali.
Xi’s first U.S. visit in six years adds another layer of complexity. While APEC offers a more informal setting, logistics remain challenging, with both sides vying for symbolic gestures that project dignity and respect.
Analysts speculate on Xi’s team’s desire for a separate summit, emphasizing venue and extended talks. Even flowers and the weather may be pivotal, as Chinese culture ascribes meaning to such choices. Security concerns persist, and personal interactions, such as a joint walk or a shared meal, could shape public perception.
In the realm of U.S.-China relations, where every move matters, the upcoming summit holds not only diplomatic but cultural significance. As the world watches, the nuanced choreography of Biden and Xi’s meeting will reverberate far beyond the Bay area.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
