Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters] -Sources say that President Joe Biden of the United States and Xi Jinping, China’s leader, are likely to meet virtually on Monday. This is amid rising tensions regarding trade and human rights, as well as military operations.

Washington and Beijing have been at odds on a variety of issues, from China’s growing nuclear arsenal to the causes of the COVID-19 epidemic. U.S. officials believe direct engagement with Xi is the best way to prevent the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies from spiraling toward conflict.

One Chinese official said that Beijing wants to be neutral and not engage in confrontation, and instead focus on positive competition. They also want cooperation on matters such as the climate crisis or ending the coronavirus epidemic.

Officials said that the two world’s largest economies unveiled a framework agreement on increasing cooperation in combating climate change at the U.N climate conference in Scotland. This was “quite positive” and a signal for the forthcoming summit.

The official said that the U.S.-China contest is viewed as a game of golf, with each team focusing on their own performance and not like a fight where one side tries to beat the other.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

The White House announced that Biden would address the Asia Pacific Economic Conference summit leaders in an online appearance Friday morning.

CNBC reports that Xi will likely invite President Donald Trump to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The report was based on two sources familiar with the matter.

Biden could find himself in a difficult spot as he pushes China for human rights. Biden won’t be going to Beijing for any type of meeting. The U.S. president was not able to attend the Summer Olympics at Tokyo, an important ally.

Biden, Xi and Xi had their last conversation on September 9th. This was a 90-minute conversation between senior U.S. officials that focused on economic problems, climate change, and COVID-19.

Biden is eager to meet face-to-face with Xi in an effort to decrease tensions between Beijing and Beijing regarding Taiwan, among other topics.

Officials from the United States wanted Biden and Xi to meet on the sidelines at a G20 Summit in Rome two weeks ago. However, Xi hasn’t traveled beyond China since the outbreak of the pandemic 21 months ago.

Last month, the Biden-Xi Virtual Meeting was reached in principle during discussions in Zurich between Yang Jiechi (China’s top diplomat) and Jake Sullivan (U.S. national defense adviser). Sullivan raised concerns over China’s actions in South China Sea and human rights, including Beijing’s stances regarding Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.

Senior administration officials said that there is nothing yet to announce. “We are in principle bound to hold a virtual bilateral meeting by the end of this year,” he said. “Working-level discussions are in progress to confirm the details,” said an official.

The White House described the forthcoming meeting as part U.S. efforts “responsibly manage” the competition between the two nations.