While key issues like U.S. sanctions on chip exports remain unresolved, Chinese state media is now striking a different tone, focusing on Xi's smile during past trips to Iowa, fireside chats with its residents, and sharing chocolates with Biden.
With official ties still strained, Chinese state media has focused on relations between the people and emphasised the potential for cooperation and importance of the summit for the Asia-Pacific region.
Gary Dvorchak, an Iowan considered by Xi an old friend of China, said Xi's fondness for Iowa was genuine but that the Chinese leader also used his ties to the state for propaganda value.
“It humanises him and it gives him an ability to show a connection to the American people and bypass the American media,” said Dvorchak.
On the Weibo Chinese microblogging site, the most popular hashtag on Thursday still harked back to tension over Taiwan: "China must be and will be reunified."
Persons:
Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Li Mingjiang, Iowans, Gary Dvorchak, ”, Dvorchak, Albee Zhang, Michael Martina, Greg Torode, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
National Committee, China Relations, China Business Council, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Xinhua, Weibo, Thomson
Locations:
Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, Rights BEIJING, California, Iowa, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Pacific, Xinhua, Beijing, Washington, Hong Kong