Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, shakes hands (L) with Joe Biden (US Vice President), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 4, 2013. Lintao Zhang | Reuters
BEIJING Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, and Joe Biden, the United States President, spoke on Friday for their first meeting since February. As tensions simmer between the two world's largest economies, it was the second meeting between the leaders since Biden assumed office in January. The White House released a Friday morning readout of the call, which stated that President Biden had stressed the United States' long-term interest in peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. "The two leaders also discussed the responsibility of each nation to ensure that competition doesn't veer into war," it said. The call was confirmed by Chinese state media shortly afterward.
Xi stated in the report that if the core concerns of each country are respected and differences are properly managed, the relevant departments can work together on major international and regional issues, such as climate, Covid prevent, economic recovery, and other important global and regional issues. He stated that if there is "confrontation" between China, the U.S., and other countries, then "both countries and world will suffer." However, cooperation between the two countries will be beneficial for all. According to CNBC, this is a translation of the Chinese text. Biden's comments were also described in the state media report, which included a comment that "The two countries don't have any reason to become involved in conflict because of their competition."
Biden claimed that the call lasted for two hours and was made just before February's Lunar New Year, China's most significant holiday. The call lasted approximately 90 minutes and covered a variety of transnational issues. It also touched on economic issues. However, that aspect of U.S. policy towards China is still under review, Reuters reported. According to the official, both leaders can be honest and open with one another without lecturing. According to the report, the U.S. must focus on rallying allies and partners.
Both countries form regional alliances
