Addressing the East Asia Summit in Cambodia on November 13, United States President Joe Biden told Asian leaders that the US would keep its line of communication with China open to prevent conflict.

He also stressed the necessity of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and peace in the Taiwan Strait.

However, he stated that the US would speak out over China's human rights records.

Biden stated that the US would compete "vigorously" with China but ensure that competition does not turn into conflict. The US president also condemned Russia for invading Ukraine. Besides, he asked Myanmar's military rulers to follow the peace plan on which they agreed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

The US president's comments have come just ahead of G-20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, scheduled this week. Notably, during the G-20 Summit, Biden will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time after becoming the US president.

Biden hosts first Easter Egg Roll in two years

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First White House Easter Egg Roll in two years

After a pandemic hiatus, President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris launched the first White House Easter Egg Roll in two years on Monday, resuming an annual tradition for children that dates back to 1878.

"Ready, set, go!"

"Ready, set, go!" Biden shouted and blew a whistle to begin the festivities, in which children race to roll pastel-colored eggs down a portion of the South Lawn using long-handled spoons.

Top administration officials were also present

A light rain did nothing to put a damper on an event in which 30,000 children and adults were participating. Many top administration officials were on hand for the egg roll, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House press secretary Jen Psaki and their children.

Biden read children's book

While Harris blew a whistle to launch a wave of egg rollers, the Bidens went to another a section of the lawn to read a children's book, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” They were soon joined by NBC's "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon, who read aloud his children's book, "Nana Loves You More."

Theme of the event

The theme of the event was "egg-ucation," and the South Lawn was set up with an education theme. Jill Biden is a community college professor. The egg roll event is a tradition begun by then-President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. The coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021.

The East Asia Summit was attended by 18 countries, including India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and the ASEAN countries. At the summit, Russia's President Vladimir Putin was represented by the country's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who accused the US and its NATO allies of militarizing Southeast Asia to "master this space." Lavrov also criticized Biden's Indo-pacific strategy, saying that the US president was trying to bypass "inclusive structures" for regional cooperation.

FAQs:

Where is the G-20 Summit scheduled to be held?
The G-20 Summit will be held in Indonesia's Bali.
How many countries did participate in the East Asia Summit?
The East Asia Summit was attended by eighteen countries.

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US President Joe Biden highlights China's human rights record, Taiwan issue at East Asia Summit in Cambodia

President Joe Biden stated that the United States would keep its communication lines with China open to prevent conflict. Biden while addressing the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, he said the United States would compete with China and speak out over its human rights record.