Jacinda Ardern celebrates Xi, Biden meeting amid pageantry in Vietnam

US President Joe Biden and China's leader Xi Jinping have held a three-hour meeting aimed at quelling fears of a so-called new Cold War.

The pair met face-to-face on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. Jacinda Ardern - who's in Vietnam on a trade tour - has celebrated the meeting.

The G20 meeting brings together the most powerful people in the world.

"We share responsibility in my view to show that China and the United States can manage our difference," said Biden.

"The world expects that China and the United States will handle properly the relationship," Xi said. 

The leaders talked for three hours, and with a more dangerous world, a trade war over microchips, and each showing its might in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, there was a lot to discuss. 

"I absolutely believe there need not be a new Cold War… we were candid and clear with one another across the board," said Biden. "I do not think there is an imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan."

Ardern said the meeting should be "celebrated". 

"The mere fact that you have that face-to-face engagement with two incredibly important leaders in our region is critical and is to be celebrated," she said.

Ardern didn't have a super meeting, but rather a super long day of many meetings with every level of leadership in Vietnam.

It began with the Prime Minister and a gargantuan wreath, a parade, a handshake and a meeting. Then there was a chat with the man who's actually the most powerful, the head of the country's Communist Party.

A lot of handshakes, a lot of pageantry, and a lot of media sprinting about. It's all because in a socialist country, it's the Government that holds the keys to unlock the doors for Kiwi business. 

"Government has a very direct hand and so in meeting with the leadership of Vietnam, we're actually enabling the growth of our trade relationship," said Ardern. 

And at the end of the day, the fruits of the handshakes were actual fruits. Ardern cradled a pomelo soon to be exported to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian Prime Minister who Ardern met with on Sunday has tested positive for COVID-19.

When Newshub called her press secretary about it, Ardern overheard and hollered out that she was feeling fine. She's also tested negative and will keep monitoring for symptoms, so the trip will continue as normal.