Path to Biden-Xi meeting ‘not smooth’

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi capped his visit to Washington with hints that arranging a meeting between United States President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart faces challenge.

"The path to San Francisco is not smooth and cannot be left to 'autopilot,'" Wang told the audience at a Washington event hosted by the Aspen Strategy Group on Saturday, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.

Wang said the two sides must "eliminate interference, overcome obstacles, enhance consensus and accumulate results," according to Xinhua.

Biden has invited Xi to San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at a time of tense relations between the two powers, but Xi has not yet confirmed he will come.

Wang met with Biden and other senior US officials this week, with both sides agreeing on Friday to set up a meeting between the leaders next month.

"Both sides hope to stabilise and improve bilateral relations as soon as possible and agreed to work together toward a San Francisco summit between the two heads of state," Xinhua reported.