BIDEN-XI MEET IN CALIFORNIA: In a significant diplomatic turn, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, meeting face-to-face in California, have agreed to reopen direct channels of communication between the US and China after over a year of strained relations. Biden emphasised the importance of clear and open communication, stating that both leaders could now "pick up the phone and be directly heard immediately," highlighting the potential risks of accidents in the absence of dialogue. President Xi Jinping echoed the sentiment, expressing that collaboration and success for one country present opportunities for the other, while cautioning against the unbearable consequences of confrontation. This diplomatic turnaround is crucial for global stability, emphasising the significance of dialogue in fostering transparency and cooperation on an international scale. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)
Via AP pool