President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping engaged in their first direct conversation since November, described by officials as “constructive,” although hints of long-standing tensions between the US and China emerged during Tuesday’s phone call.
Xi emphasized Taiwan’s sovereignty as a “red line” during the call, underlining the sensitivity of the issue for China.
The leaders last spoke at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, where they acknowledged progress while remaining at odds over Taiwan and technology development.
The call, intended as a check-in, aimed to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, according to the White House.
Xi proposed adopting a baseline principle of “no clash, no confrontation” between the two countries for the year, emphasizing stability and urging against provocations.
The conversation precedes several weeks of diplomacy, with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen set to travel to China this week and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to follow.
The leaders addressed various subjects, including counternarcotics cooperation, military communication, AI-related risks, climate change efforts, and people-to-people exchanges.
The US has heightened concerns over China’s military and economic assertiveness in the region, especially in the Pacific. Biden’s administration has emphasized countering China’s activities while bolstering military alliances and maintaining trade restrictions.
The discussion also touched upon concerns over Taiwan and China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
China’s willingness to address tensions with the US comes amid economic challenges, prompting observers to note a potential shift in Beijing’s approach.
