Biden and Xi discuss US-China cooperation and conflict
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a call on Tuesday in an effort to keep tensions between the two countries at a simmer.
According to summaries of the call, both leaders acknowledged recent collaborative efforts, particularly in combatting climate change and addressing the global narcotics issue. However, stark differences emerged regarding Taiwan and economic matters.
President Biden reiterated the United States' support for Taiwan, a stance met with resistance from President Xi Jinping, who labeled US involvement in the South China Sea as crossing a 'red line.'
President Xi expressed dissatisfaction with the series of sanctions imposed by the US on China and Chinese-affiliated enterprises, characterizing it as an 'unending barrage of actions aimed at stifling China's economic, trade, scientific, and technological progress.'
While President Xi noted a gradual stabilization in Sino-American relations, he cautioned against the possibility of sliding into conflict or confrontation, as reported by China's Xinhua news agency.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, relayed in a briefing following the call that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would undertake a visit to China in the ensuing weeks. This announcement follows Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent trip to the region.
Describing the nearly two-hour exchange between the leaders as 'business-like,' Kirby's comments came ahead of scheduled meetings next week involving President Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos.
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