Can the US and China reset strained relations?

Relations between the world’s two leading superpowers have been described as fraught, tense and strained.

The United States and China disagree on many issues, including trade, human rights and the rule of law.

But their leaders seem to be trying to find ways to cooperate, such as with a recent agreement on climate change.

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping have held their first virtual summit to try to resolve their differences.

The three-hour meeting produced no breakthroughs, but both sides called it an opportunity to repair ties.

Did they succeed? And what message did the leaders send to the rest of the world?

Presenter: Rob Matheson

Guests:

Victor Gao – Chair professor of Soochow University

Heino Klinck – Former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia

Glenn Diesen – Professor of international relations at the University of South-Eastern Norway