President Biden Holds Phone Conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping
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Washington – President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation earlier this week, their first conversation since their historic in-person summit in November. The conversation focused on defusing tensions and finding areas of cooperation between the two superpowers.
Amidst ongoing global turbulence, including conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, President Biden and President Xi discussed various pressing issues. The conversation highlighted topics such as Taiwan, China’s actions in the South China Sea, and Beijing’s human rights record.
However, the leaders also identified areas of cooperation, such as countering narcotics, advancing artificial intelligence, and addressing climate change. The White House described the conversation as “candid and constructive,” with agreement and disagreement on various issues.
President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining “peace and stability” across the Taiwan Strait and expressed concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense industry. Both leaders agreed to continue open channels of communication and maintain diplomatic efforts.
China Urges Peace, Stability, and Commitment Honoring
In their conversation, President Xi stressed the need to prioritize peace, stability, and the honor of commitments between countries. He specifically referenced President Biden’s commitment not to support Taiwan’s independence, calling the issue the “first red line” in the relationship.
While bilateral relations have been strained in recent years, both leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding misunderstandings and maintaining dialogue. President Biden also conveyed concerns about China’s trade tactics, emphasizing the need to protect American workers and national security without hindering trade and investment.
The future of US-China relations remains uncertain, with both sides cautious and emphasizing the need to “trust but verify” the actions, particularly regarding interference in elections and national security issues.
Ongoing Engagement and Future Diplomatic Efforts
This phone conversation serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing engagement between the Biden administration and China. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to visit China later this week, further emphasizing the importance of the bilateral relationship.
During her visit, Secretary Yellen will participate in frank discussions regarding China’s trade practices and the global economic threat posed by Chinese overcapacity. The Treasury secretary has cautioned against decoupling with China, citing potential disastrous implications for the US.
The US administration has also maintained continuous engagement with Chinese counterparts at various levels. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate in a call with China’s minister of defense in the near future.
As the complexities of US-China relations persist, both nations will continue to navigate these issues with ongoing dialogue and diplomatic efforts.
Future Prospects
The world will be closely watching the future developments between the US and China, as these two global powerhouses navigate various challenges and search for areas of cooperation. The phone conversation between President Biden and President Xi signifies a commitment to maintaining open communication and preventing misunderstandings that could potentially exacerbate tensions.
It is anticipated that both nations will continue to explore possibilities for in-person meetings and diplomatic exchanges to further develop a mutually beneficial relationship. Remaining cautious and emphasizing verification of actions will be essential as both sides work towards a stable and constructive future.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
CNN’s Simone McCarthy, Sam Fossum, and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.
