### Biden and Xi to Meet in Final Encounter Before Trump's Return

Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Xi Jinping on Saturday afternoon, marking what is anticipated to be their final meeting before Donald Trump reclaims the US presidency in January. Both leaders are attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru and are expected to hold discussions on the sidelines of the event.

The White House has indicated that Biden will emphasize the importance of maintaining “stability, clarity, and predictability" during the transition. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan underscored the significance of geopolitical transitions, noting they can present opportunities for both competitors and adversaries.

A key topic on the agenda for Biden's meeting with Xi is increasing China's efforts to curb North Korea's involvement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Pentagon and NATO recently confirmed that around 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia in Ukraine.

This meeting follows Biden’s discussions on Friday with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The three leaders reiterated the importance of discouraging any destabilizing cooperation in the region, marking a unified stance against Beijing's potential influence.

Trump's imminent return to the presidency is casting uncertainty over US-China relations. On the campaign trail, Trump has advocated for a hardline approach towards China, including raising tariffs on Chinese imports and potentially withdrawing military aid to Ukraine. His proposed cabinet, featuring Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Representative Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser, both known for their hawkish views on China, further adds to the unpredictability.

Xi Jinping, while congratulating Trump on his election win earlier this month, emphasized the need for both nations to coexist peacefully in the upcoming era. However, in his Apec remarks, Xi projected a more cautionary tone, warning of a "period of turbulence and transformation" and criticizing "unilateralism and protectionism."

Complicating matters further, recent revelations have surfaced about an FBI investigation into Chinese attempts to hack US telecommunications to access information from American government workers and politicians, including Trump and his running mate JD Vance.

As Biden and Xi meet for what could be their final discussion under Biden’s tenure, the dialogue will likely set the stage for the complex interplay of US-China relations in the months to come.