President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping opened their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year Wednesday with a solid handshake ahead of talks with far-reaching implications for a world grappling with economic crosscurrents, wars in the Middle East and Europe, tensions in Taiwan and more.

core/paragraph

President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping opened their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year Wednesday with a solid handshake ahead of talks with far-reaching implications for a world grappling with economic crosscurrents, wars in the Middle East and Europe, tensions in Taiwan and more.

The two leaders, meeting at a bucolic country estate in Woodside, which is south of San Francisco, are looking to get communication back on track after a tumultuous year and to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, they’re not locked in a winner-take-all face-off.

The two leaders, meeting at a bucolic country estate in Woodside, which is south of San Francisco, are looking to get communication back on track after a tumultuous year and to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, they’re not locked in a winner-take-all face-off.

Biden arrived first and awaited Xi, who got out of a black car and took Biden’s hand before the two leaders walked a red carpet through the estate’s grand entrance with a Chinese flag on one side and an American flag on the other. Five Marines stood in formation.

Biden arrived first and awaited Xi, who got out of a black car and took Biden’s hand before the two leaders walked a red carpet through the estate’s grand entrance with a Chinese flag on one side and an American flag on the other. Five Marines stood in formation.

core/video

<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay loop muted poster="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/apec-00_04_48_02-still020.jpg" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/xi_biden_handshake.mp4" playsinline></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. President Joe Biden greets Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in Woodside. | Courtesy the White House</figcaption></figure>

Biden told Xi in his opening remarks: &#8220;It is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications. We have to ensure competition does not veer into conflict, and we also have to manage it responsibility, that competition. That’s what the United States wants, and what we intend to do. I also believe that’s what the world wants from both of us— candid exchange.&#8221;

Biden told Xi in his opening remarks: "It is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications. We have to ensure competition does not veer into conflict, and we also have to manage it responsibility, that competition. That’s what the United States wants, and what we intend to do. I also believe that’s what the world wants from both of us— candid exchange."

Biden told Xi in his opening remarks: &#8220;It is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications. We have to ensure competition does not veer into conflict, and we also have to manage it responsibility, that competition. That’s what the United States wants, and what we intend to do. I also believe that’s what the world wants from both of us— candid exchange.&#8221;

Xi said he believed in the &#8220;promising future&#8221; of the bilateral relationship. 

Xi said he believed in the "promising future" of the bilateral relationship.

Xi said he believed in the &#8220;promising future&#8221; of the bilateral relationship.

China's President President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with President Joe Biden at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1666" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319730241921.jpg?w=2500" alt="A row of people including China's President President Xi Jinping looks off screen." class="wp-image-222053"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with President Joe Biden at the Filoli estate in Woodside on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

core/image

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319730241921.jpg?w=2500" alt="A row of people including China's President President Xi Jinping looks off screen." class="wp-image-222053"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with President Joe Biden at the Filoli estate in Woodside on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

&#8220;The U.S.-China relationship has never been smooth sailing over the last 50 years or more, and it always faced problems of one kind or another. Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns. For two large countries like the U.S. and China, turning our backs on each other is not an option.&#8221;&nbsp;

"The U.S.-China relationship has never been smooth sailing over the last 50 years or more, and it always faced problems of one kind or another. Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns. For two large countries like the U.S. and China, turning our backs on each other is not an option."&nbsp;

&#8220;The U.S.-China relationship has never been smooth sailing over the last 50 years or more, and it always faced problems of one kind or another. Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns. For two large countries like the U.S. and China, turning our backs on each other is not an option.&#8221;&nbsp;

Biden is expected to let Xi know that he would like China to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-iran-politics-government-734a645f1a53ac8141f0f10236776cf3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its sway over Iran</a>&nbsp;to make clear that Tehran or its proxies should not take action that could lead to expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Israel-Hamas war</a>. The Biden administration also sees the Chinese, a big buyer of Iranian oil, as having considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.

Biden is expected to let Xi know that he would like China to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-iran-politics-government-734a645f1a53ac8141f0f10236776cf3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its sway over Iran</a>&nbsp;to make clear that Tehran or its proxies should not take action that could lead to expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Israel-Hamas war</a>. The Biden administration also sees the Chinese, a big buyer of Iranian oil, as having considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.

Ahead of the meeting, senior White House officials said Biden would walk away with better, more concrete outcomes compared with their last meeting, in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 leaders summit. There will be agreements from China to help stop the flow of chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl, and to revive communications between the militaries—increasingly important particularly as unsafe or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprofessional incidents</a>&nbsp;between the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked.

Ahead of the meeting, senior White House officials said Biden would walk away with better, more concrete outcomes compared with their last meeting, in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 leaders summit. There will be agreements from China to help stop the flow of chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl, and to revive communications between the militaries—increasingly important particularly as unsafe or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprofessional incidents</a>&nbsp;between the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked.

President Joe Biden greets China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1406" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319726064409.jpg?w=2500" alt="President Joe Biden shakes the hand of China's President President Xi Jinping next to a large wooden door." class="wp-image-222054"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Joe Biden greets China&#8217;s President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside on Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319726064409.jpg?w=2500" alt="President Joe Biden shakes the hand of China's President President Xi Jinping next to a large wooden door." class="wp-image-222054"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Joe Biden greets China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside on Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319726064409.jpg?w=2500" alt="President Joe Biden shakes the hand of China's President President Xi Jinping next to a large wooden door." class="wp-image-222054"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Joe Biden greets China&#8217;s President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside on Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

Biden on Tuesday billed the meeting as a chance to get Washington and Beijing back “on a normal course corresponding” once again.&nbsp;

Biden on Tuesday billed the meeting as a chance to get Washington and Beijing back “on a normal course corresponding” once again.&nbsp;

Even before their meeting, there were some signs of a thaw: The State Department on Tuesday announced that the U.S. and China—two of the world’s biggest polluters—had agreed to pursue efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030, through wind, solar and other renewables.&nbsp;

Even before their meeting, there were some signs of a thaw: The State Department on Tuesday announced that the U.S. and China—two of the world’s biggest polluters—had agreed to pursue efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030, through wind, solar and other renewables.&nbsp;

They are in California for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum</a>, but they met one-on-one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-biden-china-us-relations-filoli-787627c22f7825467e8edffafd8b4149" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at Filoli estate,</a>&nbsp;a country house and museum about 25 miles south of San Francisco.&nbsp;

They are in California for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum</a>, but they met one-on-one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-biden-china-us-relations-filoli-787627c22f7825467e8edffafd8b4149" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at Filoli estate,</a>&nbsp;a country house and museum about 25 miles south of San Francisco.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference.  

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1666" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319730750926.jpg?w=2500" alt="A row of people including U.S. President Joe Biden looks off screen." class="wp-image-222052"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Filoli estate in Woodside on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap23319730750926.jpg?w=2500" alt="A row of people including U.S. President Joe Biden looks off screen." class="wp-image-222052"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Filoli estate in Woodside on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. </figcaption></figure>

The APEC summit events already have attracted considerable demonstrations, and more were expected Wednesday, including protests against Xi and against multinational corporations focused on profits.

The APEC summit events already have attracted considerable demonstrations, and more were expected Wednesday, including protests against Xi and against multinational corporations focused on profits.

In the hours before the meeting, White House officials said Biden was coming into the talks bolstered by signs the U.S. economy is in a stronger position than China’s, and that the U.S. is building stronger alliances throughout the Pacific.

In the hours before the meeting, White House officials said Biden was coming into the talks bolstered by signs the U.S. economy is in a stronger position than China’s, and that the U.S. is building stronger alliances throughout the Pacific.

The U.S. president, speaking at a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday evening, pointed to his upcoming meeting as an example of how “reestablished American leadership in the world is taking hold.” As for China, the president told donors, it has ”real problems.”

The U.S. president, speaking at a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday evening, pointed to his upcoming meeting as an example of how “reestablished American leadership in the world is taking hold.” As for China, the president told donors, it has ”real problems.”

Biden and Xi Jinping meet in the San Francisco Bay Area: Watch video

Josh Koehn

A vulgar tweet in which <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan</a> riffed on famous rap lyrics and suggested San Francisco&#8217;s progressive-leaning supervisors could “die slow” has resulted in two of the elected officials filing police reports against the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/13/san-francisco-politics-y-combinator-ceo-garry-tan/">influential tech leader</a> and a third saying he intends to go to the police.

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan’s war on San Francisco politics has only just begun

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan is organizing San Francisco&#8217;s moderate political agenda

A vulgar tweet in which <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan</a> riffed on famous rap lyrics and suggested San Francisco's progressive-leaning supervisors could “die slow” has resulted in two of the elected officials filing police reports against the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/13/san-francisco-politics-y-combinator-ceo-garry-tan/">influential tech leader</a> and a third saying he intends to go to the police.

A vulgar tweet in which <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan</a> riffed on famous rap lyrics and suggested San Francisco&#8217;s progressive-leaning supervisors could “die slow” has resulted in two of the elected officials filing police reports against the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/13/san-francisco-politics-y-combinator-ceo-garry-tan/">influential tech leader</a> and a third saying he intends to go to the police.

Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Connie Chan confirmed to The Standard they have already filed police reports, while Supervisor Ahsha Safaí announced during Tuesday&#8217;s Board of Supervisors meeting that he will be going to law enforcement after learning of a death threat sent to Supervisor Dean Preston’s home.

Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Connie Chan confirmed to The Standard they have already filed police reports, while Supervisor Ahsha Safaí announced during Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting that he will be going to law enforcement after learning of a death threat sent to Supervisor Dean Preston’s home.

Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Connie Chan confirmed to The Standard they have already filed police reports, while Supervisor Ahsha Safaí announced during Tuesday&#8217;s Board of Supervisors meeting that he will be going to law enforcement after learning of a death threat sent to Supervisor Dean Preston’s home.

Later in the evening Tuesday, Peskin told The Standard he received the same message in the mail.

Later in the evening Tuesday, Peskin told The Standard he received the same message in the mail.

Tan is well known on X for his aggressive tweets, but the Y Combinator CEO stepped over the line just after midnight Saturday when he sent a post mimicking 2Pac’s famous diss track “Hit ’Em Up.” The late-night rant replaced 2Pac’s expletive-laced references to the Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy Records with the names of Supervisors Chan, Peskin, Safaí, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar and Hillary Ronen.

Tan is well known on X for his aggressive tweets, but the Y Combinator CEO stepped over the line just after midnight Saturday when he sent a post mimicking 2Pac’s famous diss track “Hit ’Em Up.” The late-night rant replaced 2Pac’s expletive-laced references to the Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy Records with the names of Supervisors Chan, Peskin, Safaí, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar and Hillary Ronen.

A vulgar tweet by Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, which has been deleted, referenced lyrics from a Tupac Shakur song. The tweet is now the subject of police reports by two San Francisco supervisors.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/garry-tan-tweet.jpeg?w=1080" alt="A screenshot of a Garry Tan tweet" class="wp-image-244306"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A vulgar tweet by Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, which has been deleted, referenced lyrics from a song by 2Pac aka Tupac Shakur. The tweet is now the subject of police reports by two San Francisco supervisors.</figcaption></figure>

Tan later deleted the post and apologized, saying there’s “no place, no excuse and no reason for this type of speech and charged language in the discourse.”

Tan later deleted the post and apologized, saying there’s “no place, no excuse and no reason for this type of speech and charged language in the discourse.”

However, it appears that his post inspired someone to send threatening messages to at least two supervisors: Preston and Peskin. The letter included a screenshot of Tan’s deleted tweet and a message that reads, “I WISH A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.”

However, it appears that his post inspired someone to send threatening messages to at least two supervisors: Preston and Peskin. The letter included a screenshot of Tan’s deleted tweet and a message that reads, “I WISH A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.”

This message was sent to Supervisor Aaron Peskin after Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan sent out an expletive-filled tweet that has since been deleted.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_0113.jpg?w=1696" alt="A threatening message with an image of Garry Tan's deleted tweet," class="wp-image-244437"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This message was sent to Supervisor Aaron Peskin after Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan sent out an expletive-filled tweet that has since been deleted.</figcaption></figure>

“I’ve been a champion for free speech in these chambers … and for any individual’s right to express themselves,” Peskin said during Tuesday’s meeting. “I’ve tolerated borderline hate speech on social media.”

“I’ve been a champion for free speech in these chambers … and for any individual’s right to express themselves,” Peskin said during Tuesday’s meeting. “I’ve tolerated borderline hate speech on social media.”

However, Peskin said, it’s important “to draw the line on … incitements to violence and death.”

However, Peskin said, it’s important “to draw the line on … incitements to violence and death.”

The message sent to Peskin also featured an image of Tan on the envelope, the supervisor told The Standard.

The message sent to Peskin also featured an image of Tan on the envelope, the supervisor told The Standard.

An envelop with a photo of Garry Tan and a threatening message was sent to at least two San Francisco supervisors.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1153" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_0115_563e57.png?w=2500" alt="An envelope with Garry Tan's image." class="wp-image-244440"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An envelope with a photo of Garry Tan and a threatening message was sent to Supervisor Aaron Peskin.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_0115_563e57.png?w=2500" alt="An envelope with Garry Tan's image." class="wp-image-244440"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An envelope with a photo of Garry Tan and a threatening message was sent to Supervisor Aaron Peskin.</figcaption></figure>

Chan said she was motivated to file her own police report, in part, because of Tan’s support for Marjan Philhour, a supervisor candidate who is challenging Chan in November.&nbsp;

Chan said she was motivated to file her own police report, in part, because of Tan’s support for Marjan Philhour, a supervisor candidate who is challenging Chan in November.&nbsp;

Chan provided The Standard with <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24397939-connie-chan-police-incident-report">a police incident report</a> that not only noted Tan’s support for Philhour’s candidacy, but also referenced a 2023 police report the supervisor filed against Forrest Liu, who is noted as a paid Philhour campaign staffer. Chan accused Liu of physically threatening her on two occasions.

Chan provided The Standard with <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24397939-connie-chan-police-incident-report">a police incident report</a> that not only noted Tan’s support for Philhour’s candidacy, but also referenced a 2023 police report the supervisor filed against Forrest Liu, who is noted as a paid Philhour campaign staffer. Chan accused Liu of physically threatening her on two occasions.

According to the incident report, Chan told police that after Tan’s tweet it “dawned on me that these unhinged individuals who now have wished me death online as well as physically threaten me are connected, it became alarming to me that the threats are potentially violent and imminent.”&nbsp;

According to the incident report, Chan told police that after Tan’s tweet it “dawned on me that these unhinged individuals who now have wished me death online as well as physically threaten me are connected, it became alarming to me that the threats are potentially violent and imminent.”&nbsp;

Chan said she filed a police report against Liu in October after two unprovoked confrontations with him—one at an <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/09/outside-lands-2023-guide/">Outside Lands</a> community meeting on Aug. 9 and another at the <a href="https://richmondsf.org/event/wineandwhiskey/">Wine on the Westside gala</a> on Oct. 12.

Outside Lands 2023: A guide to San Francisco’s biggest music festival

Chan said she filed a police report against Liu in October after two unprovoked confrontations with him—one at an <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/09/outside-lands-2023-guide/">Outside Lands</a> community meeting on Aug. 9 and another at the <a href="https://richmondsf.org/event/wineandwhiskey/">Wine on the Westside gala</a> on Oct. 12.

Chan said she was shocked when Liu allegedly challenged her to a fight at the meeting for the music festival. Months later, Liu allegedly threatened her while standing “an inch away from my face.&#8221;

Chan said she was shocked when Liu allegedly challenged her to a fight at the meeting for the music festival. Months later, Liu allegedly threatened her while standing “an inch away from my face."

Chan said she was shocked when Liu allegedly challenged her to a fight at the meeting for the music festival. Months later, Liu allegedly threatened her while standing “an inch away from my face.&#8221;

“I saw this individual at <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=apec">APEC</a> [working for the Mayor’s Office of Protocol], and it was alarming to me,” Chan said. “Luckily for me, I didn&#8217;t have an interaction with that individual at that time.”

“I saw this individual at <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=apec">APEC</a> [working for the Mayor’s Office of Protocol], and it was alarming to me,” Chan said. “Luckily for me, I didn't have an interaction with that individual at that time.”

“I saw this individual at <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=apec">APEC</a> [working for the Mayor’s Office of Protocol], and it was alarming to me,” Chan said. “Luckily for me, I didn&#8217;t have an interaction with that individual at that time.”

Philhour confirmed to The Standard that Liu works for her campaign, but she said she is “not aware of anyone on my campaign team being involved in any crime.”

Philhour confirmed to The Standard that Liu works for her campaign, but she said she is “not aware of anyone on my campaign team being involved in any crime.”

“I would trust that any suspected crime including threats would be promptly and properly reported to the police and the police would investigate,” Philhour said in a text message.

“I would trust that any suspected crime including threats would be promptly and properly reported to the police and the police would investigate,” Philhour said in a text message.

Liu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Liu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Tuesday, Peskin asked City Attorney David Chiu to draft legislation that would require candidates who receive campaign contributions from “purveyors of hate and violence” to disclose this money in some fashion.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Peskin asked City Attorney David Chiu to draft legislation that would require candidates who receive campaign contributions from “purveyors of hate and violence” to disclose this money in some fashion.&nbsp;

Sam Singer, a public relations consultant and spokesperson for Tan, dismissed the supervisors’ police reports as a form of political theater.

Sam Singer, a public relations consultant and spokesperson for Tan, dismissed the supervisors’ police reports as a form of political theater.

“I’ve never heard of anybody filing a police report against rap lyrics,” Singer said. “It was wrong of Garry to post that, he knows that and he immediately withdrew it and apologized to the Board of Supervisors.”

“I’ve never heard of anybody filing a police report against rap lyrics,” Singer said. “It was wrong of Garry to post that, he knows that and he immediately withdrew it and apologized to the Board of Supervisors.”

Safaí said during Tuesday’s meeting that he plans to file a police report and was particularly alarmed by Tan’s statements given the 1978 assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk at City Hall. He noted that Preston received a note at home saying Tan’s tweet was right.

Safaí said during Tuesday’s meeting that he plans to file a police report and was particularly alarmed by Tan’s statements given the 1978 assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk at City Hall. He noted that Preston received a note at home saying Tan’s tweet was right.

Preston, who did not respond to a request for comment, seemed to receive a similar message sent to Peskin, based on reporting by the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-garry-tan-x-threatening-peskin-police-report-18637813.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>.

Preston, who did not respond to a request for comment, seemed to receive a similar message sent to Peskin, based on reporting by the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-garry-tan-x-threatening-peskin-police-report-18637813.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>.

“Even if you weren’t named [in the tweet],” Safaí said, “they’re coming for all of us.”

“Even if you weren’t named [in the tweet],” Safaí said, “they’re coming for all of us.”

Josh Ram contributed to this story.

Josh Ram contributed to this story.

Garry Tan’s vulgar tweet prompts police reports by San Francisco supervisors

Joel Umanzor

A day after Sam Altman was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-firing-board-members/">ousted as CEO of OpenAI</a>, Silicon Valley and beyond were waiting with bated breath to see whether his next move would be to start a new company—or negotiate a return to the San Francisco firm best known for making ChatGPT.

How OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired by rival board members

A day after Sam Altman was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-firing-board-members/">ousted as CEO of OpenAI</a>, Silicon Valley and beyond were waiting with bated breath to see whether his next move would be to start a new company—or negotiate a return to the San Francisco firm best known for making ChatGPT.

Altman’s sudden firing on Friday set off a chain reaction of a number of other executives and researchers—like&nbsp;OpenAI President Greg Brockman—stepping down in solidarity.

Altman’s sudden firing on Friday set off a chain reaction of a number of other executives and researchers—like&nbsp;OpenAI President Greg Brockman—stepping down in solidarity.

Altman&#8217;s dismissal may have been related to a long-standing divide in the AI community, with one side that sees AI as an enormous business opportunity and those who are concerned about the dangers of AI’s rapid advancement.

Altman's dismissal may have been related to a long-standing divide in the AI community, with one side that sees AI as an enormous business opportunity and those who are concerned about the dangers of AI’s rapid advancement.

Altman&#8217;s dismissal may have been related to a long-standing divide in the AI community, with one side that sees AI as an enormous business opportunity and those who are concerned about the dangers of AI’s rapid advancement.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-firing-board-members/">How OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Was Fired by Rival Board Members</a>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-firing-board-members/">How OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Was Fired by Rival Board Members</a>

By Saturday afternoon, the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verge</a> and the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/sam-altman-openai-board.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times were reporting</a> that OpenAI’s board was attempting to bring Altman back.

By Saturday afternoon, the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verge</a> and the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/sam-altman-openai-board.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times were reporting</a> that OpenAI’s board was attempting to bring Altman back.

Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-co-founder-altman-plans-new-venture?rc=uatl0i&amp;shared=001ac1e87ff564c3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Information</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-co-founder-altman-planning-new-venture-information-2023-11-18/#:~:text=Nov%2018%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Sam,the%20plan%20said%20on%20Saturday." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rumors</a> pointed to Altman launching his own venture.

Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-co-founder-altman-plans-new-venture?rc=uatl0i&amp;shared=001ac1e87ff564c3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Information</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-co-founder-altman-planning-new-venture-information-2023-11-18/#:~:text=Nov%2018%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Sam,the%20plan%20said%20on%20Saturday." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rumors</a> pointed to Altman launching his own venture.

Altman responded on Friday night to his firing with two cryptic posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he thanked his supporters while comparing the news to reading&nbsp;one’s eulogy. He also alluded to not having any shares in the company.

Altman responded on Friday night to his firing with two cryptic posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he thanked his supporters while comparing the news to reading&nbsp;one’s eulogy. He also alluded to not having any shares in the company.

core/embed

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725742088317534446
</div></figure>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">i love you all. today was a weird experience in many ways. but one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive. the outpouring of love is awesome. one takeaway: go tell your friends how great you think they are.&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725742088317534446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725748751367852439
</div></figure>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">if i start going off, the openai board should go after me for the full value of my shares&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725748751367852439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

OpenAI&#8217;s board oversees the nonprofit parent organization that controls the for-profit subsidiary. The stated mission is to create safe artificial general intelligence for humanity&#8217;s benefit. Under the governance structure, independent directors without equity are to constitute the board majority.

OpenAI's board oversees the nonprofit parent organization that controls the for-profit subsidiary. The stated mission is to create safe artificial general intelligence for humanity's benefit. Under the governance structure, independent directors without equity are to constitute the board majority.

OpenAI&#8217;s board oversees the nonprofit parent organization that controls the for-profit subsidiary. The stated mission is to create safe artificial general intelligence for humanity&#8217;s benefit. Under the governance structure, independent directors without equity are to constitute the board majority.

But a source told The Standard on Friday that the billions invested by Microsoft and others raised complications for that structure.

But a source told The Standard on Friday that the billions invested by Microsoft and others raised complications for that structure.

OpenAI raised approximately $11.3 billion in funding from investors, including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Tiger Global, according to Crunchbase.

OpenAI raised approximately $11.3 billion in funding from investors, including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Tiger Global, according to Crunchbase.

According to an Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> Friday, Microsoft—OpenAI’s largest investor—was blindsided by the move.

According to an Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> Friday, Microsoft—OpenAI’s largest investor—was blindsided by the move.

A memo to OpenAI employees from Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, which was obtained Saturday by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/18/openai-exec-addresses-ceo-sam-altmans-firing-in-note-to-employees-read-the-full-memo.html?&amp;qsearchterm=sam%20altman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>, clarified that Altman’s firing was not related to any misconduct.

A memo to OpenAI employees from Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, which was obtained Saturday by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/18/openai-exec-addresses-ceo-sam-altmans-firing-in-note-to-employees-read-the-full-memo.html?&amp;qsearchterm=sam%20altman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>, clarified that Altman’s firing was not related to any misconduct.

“We can say definitively that the board’s decision was not made in response to malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices,” Lightcap wrote. “This was a breakdown in communication between Sam and the board.”&nbsp;

“We can say definitively that the board’s decision was not made in response to malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices,” Lightcap wrote. “This was a breakdown in communication between Sam and the board.”&nbsp;

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-fired-apec-talk/">Here’s What Sam Altman Said at APEC, a Day Before He Got Fired From OpenAI</a>

Here&#8217;s what Sam Altman said at APEC, a day before he got fired from OpenAI

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/openai-sam-altman-fired-apec-talk/">Here’s What Sam Altman Said at APEC, a Day Before He Got Fired From OpenAI</a>

OpenAI’s board has been in contact with Altman on possibly returning to the company, though he admittingly is “ambivalent” about returning if no governance changes happen, according to the Verge <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">article</a> published Saturday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

OpenAI’s board has been in contact with Altman on possibly returning to the company, though he admittingly is “ambivalent” about returning if no governance changes happen, according to the Verge <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">article</a> published Saturday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

For David Larcker, director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative at Stanford University&#8217;s Graduate School of Business, OpenAI’s dynamic rise in the AI industry could have contributed to Altman and the nonprofit board not seeing eye-to-eye on the company’s mission.

For David Larcker, director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, OpenAI’s dynamic rise in the AI industry could have contributed to Altman and the nonprofit board not seeing eye-to-eye on the company’s mission.

For David Larcker, director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative at Stanford University&#8217;s Graduate School of Business, OpenAI’s dynamic rise in the AI industry could have contributed to Altman and the nonprofit board not seeing eye-to-eye on the company’s mission.

“When things take off like that, you know, the job of the board just gets much more complicated,” he said. “You&#8217;ve got this cap on profits to be distributed and this social mission. You&#8217;ve probably got billions of dollars of potential profit lying there. My guess is they just had a real different perspective on that. And they (the board) had the votes to do it.”

“When things take off like that, you know, the job of the board just gets much more complicated,” he said. “You've got this cap on profits to be distributed and this social mission. You've probably got billions of dollars of potential profit lying there. My guess is they just had a real different perspective on that. And they (the board) had the votes to do it.”

“When things take off like that, you know, the job of the board just gets much more complicated,” he said. “You&#8217;ve got this cap on profits to be distributed and this social mission. You&#8217;ve probably got billions of dollars of potential profit lying there. My guess is they just had a real different perspective on that. And they (the board) had the votes to do it.”

A longtime San Francisco tech executive and angel investor who has not spoken to Altman but is aware of some of the internal dynamics at OpenAI criticized the firing as imprudent.

A longtime San Francisco tech executive and angel investor who has not spoken to Altman but is aware of some of the internal dynamics at OpenAI criticized the firing as imprudent.

“I really think that this was a foolish move by the board,” the executive said. “AI is a hyper-competitive space, and rightfully so. I believe Sam wanted to move more aggressively than the board felt comfortable with. Perhaps they weren’t on the same page regarding how far the next version has gone in terms of [artificial general intelligence].”

“I really think that this was a foolish move by the board,” the executive said. “AI is a hyper-competitive space, and rightfully so. I believe Sam wanted to move more aggressively than the board felt comfortable with. Perhaps they weren’t on the same page regarding how far the next version has gone in terms of [artificial general intelligence].”

OpenAI&#8217;s board now consists of its Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D&#8217;Angelo, ex-GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner of Georgetown&#8217;s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Altman and Brockman had previously served on the board as well. 

OpenAI's board now consists of its Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, ex-GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner of Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Altman and Brockman had previously served on the board as well.

OpenAI&#8217;s board now consists of its Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D&#8217;Angelo, ex-GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner of Georgetown&#8217;s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Altman and Brockman had previously served on the board as well.

Some observers suggested that the board struggled to keep up with OpenAI’s rapid growth and increasing complexity.  The company said recently it had <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/06/openais-chatgpt-now-has-100-million-weekly-active-users/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">100 million weekly active users</a>.

Some observers suggested that the board struggled to keep up with OpenAI’s rapid growth and increasing complexity.  The company said recently it had <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/06/openais-chatgpt-now-has-100-million-weekly-active-users/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">100 million weekly active users</a>.

In September, <a href="https://news.crunchbase.com/ai/openai-unicorn-valuation-china-zhipu-thrive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> surfaced that the company was planning to sell existing shares in a so-called tender offer that would put its valuation at over $80 billion.

In September, <a href="https://news.crunchbase.com/ai/openai-unicorn-valuation-china-zhipu-thrive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> surfaced that the company was planning to sell existing shares in a so-called tender offer that would put its valuation at over $80 billion.

Regardless of whether Altman returns, Larcker said he is interested in seeing how the company answers investors like Microsoft.

Regardless of whether Altman returns, Larcker said he is interested in seeing how the company answers investors like Microsoft.

“I&#8217;m sure that all of the investors—Microsoft included—they&#8217;re of course reaching out after this news here,” he said. “No doubt the board&#8217;s going to have a conversation with some of these people almost immediately because there’s real money involved here.”

“I'm sure that all of the investors—Microsoft included—they're of course reaching out after this news here,” he said. “No doubt the board's going to have a conversation with some of these people almost immediately because there’s real money involved here.”

“I&#8217;m sure that all of the investors—Microsoft included—they&#8217;re of course reaching out after this news here,” he said. “No doubt the board&#8217;s going to have a conversation with some of these people almost immediately because there’s real money involved here.”

What’s next for OpenAI, ChatGPT after Sam Altman’s ouster?

Han Li

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a busy Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden and finished the day by attending a highly watched dinner event with American political and business leaders to promote investment in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a busy Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden and finished the day by attending a highly watched dinner event with American political and business leaders to promote investment in China.

Xi, 70, started the day with a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/biden-xi-jinping-meet-san-francisc-bay-area-apec/">historic hourslong talk</a> with Biden at the Filoli estate, about 30 miles south of San Francisco in Woodside. He then appeared at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Downtown San Francisco for the dinner event.

Xi, 70, started the day with a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/biden-xi-jinping-meet-san-francisc-bay-area-apec/">historic hourslong talk</a> with Biden at the Filoli estate, about 30 miles south of San Francisco in Woodside. He then appeared at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Downtown San Francisco for the dinner event.

The soiree, organized by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, came as China aims to reinvigorate the confidence of foreign investors amid concerns about an economic downturn. Tickets to the event cost $2,000 each.

The soiree, organized by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, came as China aims to reinvigorate the confidence of foreign investors amid concerns about an economic downturn. Tickets to the event cost $2,000 each.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Apple CEO Tim Cook were also <a href="https://twitter.com/Benioff/status/1724993383570227644">at the event</a>.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Apple CEO Tim Cook were also <a href="https://twitter.com/Benioff/status/1724993383570227644">at the event</a>.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCErcOsxFR8
</div></figure>

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends, it gives me great pleasure to meet with you, friends from across American society, in San Francisco to renew our friendship and strengthen our bond,” Xi said.&nbsp;

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends, it gives me great pleasure to meet with you, friends from across American society, in San Francisco to renew our friendship and strengthen our bond,” Xi said.&nbsp;

He then recounted how his trip this week brought him full circle.

He then recounted how his trip this week brought him full circle.

“My first visit to the United States in 1985 started from San Francisco, and this formed my first impression of this country,” he told the audience. “Today, I still keep <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/13/apec-xi-san-francisco-1985/">a photo of me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge</a>. This morning, President Biden pulled out this photo and showed it to me. I don’t know how he got it, but he showed it to me.”

38 years after posing at the Golden Gate Bridge, Xi Jinping returns to San Francisco for APEC

“My first visit to the United States in 1985 started from San Francisco, and this formed my first impression of this country,” he told the audience. “Today, I still keep <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/13/apec-xi-san-francisco-1985/">a photo of me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge</a>. This morning, President Biden pulled out this photo and showed it to me. I don’t know how he got it, but he showed it to me.”

<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls loop muted poster="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sfs_xijinpingspeech_thumbnail1.jpg" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sfs_xijinpingspeech_inline1.mp4" playsinline></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">China’s president Xi Jinping reflects on his first visit to the United States in 1985. | Courtesy National Committee on U.S.-China Relations</figcaption></figure>

Summarizing some of the outcomes of his meeting with Biden, Xi said China &#8220;sympathizes deeply with the American people&#8221; for the &#8220;sufferings&#8221; of Americans due to drugs such as fentanyl. He and Biden had agreed to set up a &#8220;working group&#8221; on drug abuse.

Summarizing some of the outcomes of his meeting with Biden, Xi said China "sympathizes deeply with the American people" for the "sufferings" of Americans due to drugs such as fentanyl. He and Biden had agreed to set up a "working group" on drug abuse.

Summarizing some of the outcomes of his meeting with Biden, Xi said China &#8220;sympathizes deeply with the American people&#8221; for the &#8220;sufferings&#8221; of Americans due to drugs such as fentanyl. He and Biden had agreed to set up a &#8220;working group&#8221; on drug abuse.

China is a producer of precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, often in Mexico.

China is a producer of precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, often in Mexico.

Biden and Xi Jinping meet in the San Francisco Bay Area: Watch video

Garry Tan’s vulgar tweet prompts police reports by San Francisco supervisors

What’s next for OpenAI, ChatGPT after Sam Altman’s ouster?

China’s Xi Jinping dines in San Francisco with U.S. business leaders, hints at return of pandas

China to send 2 pandas to San Diego Zoo. What about San Francisco?

Search Results for: apec

Biden and Xi Jinping meet in the San Francisco Bay Area: Watch video

Garry Tan’s vulgar tweet prompts police reports by San Francisco supervisors

What’s next for OpenAI, ChatGPT after Sam Altman’s ouster?

China’s Xi Jinping dines in San Francisco with U.S. business leaders, hints at return of pandas

China to send 2 pandas to San Diego Zoo. What about San Francisco?