Chinese official yanks U.S. producer by the backpack after she asks Biden about human rights

White House aides were forced to intervene when Chinese aides manhandled a U.S. TV reporter for trying to ask President Biden a question about human rights during his meeting with Xi Jinping.

The producer shouted at Biden during his opening remarks when he met with Xi for the first time as President on Monday in Bali, Indonesia.

'Instantly, a man from the Chinese side — he was wearing a white Covid mask with a Chinese flag on it — yanked the producer backwards by the backpack,' Agence France-Presse pool reporter Sebastian Smith wrote Monday night local time.

'She lost balance without falling and was pushed toward the door,' he added. 'Two White House staff members intervened saying the producer should be left alone.'

White House aides were forced to intervene when Chinese aides manhandled a U.S. TV reporter for trying to ask President Biden a question about human rights during his meeting with Xi Jinping

The moment was not captured on camera, but was noted in the official pool report from the start of Biden and Xi's three-hour meeting where they discussed Taiwan, North Korea and Russia, according to readouts.

Xi warned Biden that the 'Taiwan question' was the 'first red line that should not be crossed' and that Beijing would not allow anyone to interfere.

Biden told his counterpart that the United States stand besides the 'One China Policy' and said later in a press conference that he saw no 'imminent' threat of an invasion of Taiwan.

The Pentagon and top U.S. military officials have warned Xi is preparing for a military incursion by 2027.

But Biden insisted there is no immediate danger of conflict and said there is 'no need for a new Cold War'. 

The two leaders displayed warm body language before cameras were removed from their meeting in Bali, on the sidelines of a G20 summit.

'I absolutely believe there need not be a new Cold War,' said Biden at a news conference after the meeting ended.

'I've met many times with Xi Jinping, and we were candid and clear with one another across the board. 

'And I do not think there's any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan.

Biden's own officials believe Xi has ordered the modernization of his armed forces so they can be ready to take the autonomous island by force by 2027 if necessary.

And Xi reportedly laid down a hard line in their meeting.

'The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations,' Xi was reported to have told Biden, according to state news agency Xinhua. 

Taiwan is a flashpoint between Washington and Beijing, which was angered by Biden's repeated comments that the U.S would defend the island if it was attacked.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit in August further enflamed relations. 

Biden said he spelled out the U.S. position. 

'I made it clear that our policy in Taiwan has not changed at all. It's the same exact position we've had,' he said.

The moment was not captured on camera, but was noted in the official pool report from the start of Biden and Xi's three-hour meeting where they discussed Taiwan, North Korea and Russia, according to readouts

President Biden said there 'need not be a new Cold War' after a three and half hour meeting with Xi Jinping, and added that he did not believe Beijing was going to invade Taiwan 'imminently.' They met in Bali ahead of a G20 summit