San Francisco:
Being head of state is a busy job and family life sometimes takes a back seat. Luckily, other heads of state are there to remind you when you may have forgotten your wife’s birthday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to want to avoid a domestic black mark after Joe Biden pointed out that his partner of more than 30 years was about to celebrate her special day – on the same date as the US president celebrates his.
Peng Liyuan – a well-known soprano in China – turns 61 on November 20, the day Biden turns 81.
US officials said Biden, who met Xi for a summit on the outskirts of San Francisco, had asked the Chinese leader to pass on birthday wishes to Peng.
An embarrassed Xi said he had been in over his head in statesmanship and the date had passed him by, officials said.
Well done for coming by.
Xi thanked Biden for the reminder and – presumably – put on his thinking cap to figure out what he would get for the woman he married in 1987.
The two men spent Wednesday together at what Biden said was a “productive” summit during which they agreed to restore military-to-military communications and reduce tensions.
Biden told reporters after the talks that his relationship with Xi was deep.
“I have spent more time with President Xi than any world leader,” he said, noting that the two had spent hours in each other’s company, starting when they were vice presidents of their countries.
‘So I think I know the man. I know his modus operandi.’
Apparently enough to remind him to buy a birthday card.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)