There is fresh speculation that the scheduled chat between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping may be delayed

Beijing is yet to decide whether or not the leader will attend the upcoming G-20 Rome summit in person or via video, when it eventually rolls around in late October.

If it is a virtual attendance, there will be no chance for Biden and Xi to meet face-to-face, in what was supposed to be the pair’s first meeting since Biden became President.

Although the decision is partly due to the ongoing pandemic, some believe it’s also a representation of worsening relations between the two countries.

If Xi Jinping and Joe Biden fail to meet in late October, it will be the longest period a new US President hasn’t met his Chinese counterpart since 1993.

This has many analysts concerned, with face-to-face meetings viewed as a vital part of foreign diplomacy.