Biden and Xi make it official: U.S., Chinese leaders will meet next week

Details: The leaders will focus on "the continued importance of maintaining open lines of communication, and a range of regional and global issues," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

• They'll also discuss how the countries "can continue to responsibly manage competition and work together where our interests align, particularly on transnational challenges that affect the international community."

Thought bubble, from Axios China author Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian: The fact that it has taken months of delicate diplomacy to bring the two leaders together underscores the profound divisions driving the countries apart.

Of note: Thousands of protesters are expected in San Francisco during the summit.

Go deeper: What to expect from Biden and Xi's upcoming meeting