Biden, Xi Avoid Referencing One Another at U.N. as U.S. Leader Softens Tone on China

NEITHER President Joe Biden nor Chinese President Xi Jinping referenced one another’s country directly in high-profile remarks at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, an apparent indication of both leaders’ desire to find areas of cooperation but also of the U.S. administration’s eagerness to shift its foreign policies away from the catastrophes that have dogged it so far.

To be sure, the leaders of the two superpowers made unmistakable references to the other in formal remarks at the high-profile gathering.

Biden in his 30-minute in-person speech stated he had no interest in commencing a new cold war and expressed eagerness for the U.S. to return to supporting international institutions that prevent conflict, a clear acknowledgement to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemnation the day before of Washington and Beijing’s “completely dysfunctional relationship.”

“All the major powers of the world have a duty, in my view, to carefully manage their relationships, so