.png)
5 months ago
17
President Joe Biden held a phone call with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday morning in the latest effort to drive down tensions between the world's two most powerful nations.
It was their first conversation since meeting in California almost five months ago.
And it comes ahead of another potential flashpoint next month: The inauguration of Taiwan's new president.
A senior administration official told reporters on a briefing call that the aim was to strengthen lines of communication.
Particular areas of concern include the potential for election interference.
The White House confirmed Tuesday that President Joe Biden had spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping by telephone, their first conversation in almost five months
'Like with any message we deliver to China or to other countries, it is one of continual reinforcement of concern,' said the official.
'And I don't think we ever really take the Chinese at their word when they say they will or will not do something. It is about verifying as the president says.
Other topics on the agenda were counter-narcotics cooperation, to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl, military-to-military contacts, climate change, and the potential risks of artificial intelligence.
Biden was also expected to express concerns about Beijing's support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
'The two leaders agreed to maintain regular open lines of communication to responsibly manage competition and prevent unintended conflict,' said the official before the call.
'And this phone call really is just part of that ongoing effort.'
The two leaders were also expected to discuss Taiwan, ahead of the inauguration of Lai Ching-te who has promised to safeguard its independence from Beijing.
Although Biden was due to emphasize Washington's 'One China' stance, acknowledging Beijing's claim to the island, he was also planning to warn off any attempts to take Taiwan by force.
One issue that was not highlighted in advance was TikTok. The wildly popular app is in the sights of U.S. lawmakers who are considering a plan to ban it if its Chinese owners do sell its stakes.
Last month 32 Chinese warplanes were detected over Taiwan in just 24 hours, the country's defense ministry said. Pictured: File photo of a Chinese jet near a US fighter
President Joe Biden last spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, at the Filoli Estate in California on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference
More high-level meetings are due to follow Tuesday's call.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to China on Thursday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has a trip in the works in the weeks ahead.
Earlier this year, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the November meeting had underscored the need for more contacts between senior officials from either side.
In San Francisco, the two leaders agreed to try to reduce tensions over a range of issues from Chinese military activity around Taiwan and American exports controls on a range of advanced tech.
Those tensions had driven relations to the lowest point in decades.
The region will be in the spotlight at the White House next week when Biden is due to host Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Chinese influence is expected to be top of the agenda.
English (US)