The recent meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, marked a significant step in addressing long-term strategic risks. Both leaders affirmed the need for human control over nuclear weapons decisions and agreed to address AI-related risks. The summit also covered economic concerns, human rights issues, and regional challenges. While the agreement on nuclear control and AI governance is seen as progress, challenges remain in implementation and defining autonomy. The meeting emphasized the importance of US-China relations and the need for responsible management of their competitive relationship, setting the stage for future cooperation and dialogue.

Background and Context

The meeting between President Biden and President Xi, likely their last official face-to-face encounter, took place against a backdrop of complex US-China relations. As reported by Reuters ¹, the summit focused on preventing deterioration of bilateral relations during the leadership transition. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of US-China relations, emphasizing the need for responsible management of their competitive relationship.

The White House statement highlighted that “President Biden underscored that U.S. investment in sources of strength at home and alignment with partners and allies around the world have been central to his Administration’s foreign policy approach” ². This approach sets the tone for the discussions and agreements reached during the summit.

Key Agreement on Nuclear Weapons and AI

The most significant outcome of the summit was the agreement on human control over nuclear weapons decisions. As reported by Reuters, “The two leaders affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons” ¹. This marks a crucial step in addressing long-term strategic risks associated with nuclear arms and artificial intelligence.

The agreement extends to the development of AI in military applications. Both leaders “stressed the need to consider carefully the potential risks and develop AI technology in the military field in a prudent and responsible manner” ¹. This stance aligns with the US position that AI should enhance military capabilities without replacing human decision-making in critical areas like nuclear weapons control.

It’s important to note that while this agreement is significant, it is not binding and does not guarantee a formal agreement will follow. As one source points out, “President Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign policy means that he may continue on with this agreement – he expressed concerns about this exact scenario back in May – but equally likely is the possibility that he holds back on an agreement, perhaps for negotiation purposes” ³.

Broader Implications for AI Governance

Beyond nuclear weapons, the summit addressed broader issues of AI governance. Both countries agreed to address AI-related risks, promote responsible AI development, and improve AI safety through international cooperation. The White House statement noted that “the two leaders affirmed the need to address the risks of AI systems, improve AI safety and international cooperation, and promote AI for good for all” ².

This agreement reflects growing global concern about AI’s impact and aligns with previous US efforts to establish global norms on military AI use. The US has been pushing for such norms, as evidenced by the “Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy,” which has been endorsed by 45 countries ⁴.

However, challenges remain in reaching consensus due to differing definitions of autonomous weapons and resistance to binding regulations. As one expert noted, “China frequently resists endorsing ‘responsible’ practices, contending that ‘responsibility’ is a politically charged concept lacking objective clarity” ⁴.

Economic and Technological Concerns

The summit also addressed economic and technological issues between the two countries. President Xi pushed back against tariffs on global trade and criticized Biden’s export controls on sensitive technology. Xi emphasized the need for mutually beneficial cooperation and warned against a ‘small yard, high fences’ approach to technology restrictions ⁵.

These discussions have potential implications for the incoming administration’s economic agenda and US-China technology competition. The Biden administration has been advocating for the continuation of export controls to the incoming administration, highlighting the ongoing tension in this area ⁵.

Human Rights and Detained Citizens

President Biden raised concerns about human rights in China and emphasized resolving cases of unjustly detained US citizens. The White House statement noted that “The President raised concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies and emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine the national security of the United States or its partners” ².

Progress was reported on securing the release of two US citizens considered wrongfully detained in China, demonstrating some positive outcomes in this sensitive area of US-China relation ⁶.

Regional and Global Challenges

The leaders also discussed various regional and global challenges. Biden condemned North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and expressed concern over China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base. The White House statement reported that “President Biden condemned the deployment of thousands of DPRK troops to Russia, a dangerous expansion of Russia’s unlawful war against Ukraine with serious consequences for both European and Indo-Pacific peace and security” ².

Other topics included South China Sea stability and the Taiwan situation, with Biden reiterating the US commitment to upholding international law and freedom of navigation in these regions.

Conclusion

The Biden-Xi summit at APEC represents a significant step in US-China relations, particularly in addressing the intersection of nuclear weapons control and artificial intelligence. While the agreement on human control over nuclear weapons decisions is a positive development, challenges remain in implementation and broader AI governance.

The meeting underscored the complex nature of US-China relations, balancing areas of cooperation with ongoing competition and disagreements. As both countries navigate this relationship during a period of leadership transition in the US, the outcomes of this summit will likely influence future diplomatic efforts and policy decisions on both sides.

The agreement on AI and nuclear control, while not binding, sets a precedent for future discussions and potentially paves the way for more formal agreements. However, the effectiveness of these commitments will depend on continued dialogue, concrete actions, and the policies of the incoming US administration.

Sources:

1. https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-xi-agreed-that-humans-not-ai-should-control-nuclear-weapons-white-house-2024-11-16/
2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/16/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-meeting-with-president-xi-jinping-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china-3/
3. https://www.centeraipolicy.org/work/biden-and-xis-statement-on-ai-and-nuclear-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg
4. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/biden-launches-ai-risk-and-safety-talks-with-china-is-nuclear-c2-a-likely-focus/
5. https://www.npr.org/2024/11/16/nx-s1-5193893/xi-trump-biden-ai-export-controls-tariffs
6. https://www.semafor.com/article/11/17/2024/joe-biden-xi-jinping-meet-a-apec-in-peru