U.S. officials are aiming for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to be a signature moment in U.S. President Joe Biden¡¯s efforts to strengthen economic ties in the region and manage the relationship with China.

Next week¡¯s long-awaited gathering in San Francisco of leaders from the 21-member forum marks the first time the U.S. has hosted the event in 12 years and will see the first conversation in a year between Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.

It¡¯s also an important moment for Xi, who is making his first visit to U.S. soil since 2017. He is set to be the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by U.S. business groups that will include top executives of major companies, an opportunity to lure foreign investors.