Biden and Xi engage in crucial dialogue following November summit amidst global challenges

President Joe Biden had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, which was their first conversation since their face-to-face meeting in November. This is part of the ongoing efforts by US and Chinese officials to ease tensions between the two superpowers.

The call took place during a time of global turbulence, with conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as concerns about North Korea's nuclear capabilities likely being discussed. Other issues expected to be brought up include Taiwan, China's actions in the South China Sea, and human rights abuses by Beijing.

The two leaders were expected to discuss various issues where US and Chinese officials see opportunities to cooperate. These issues include countering narcotics, advancements in artificial intelligence, and addressing climate change.

The Biden-Xi chat is a step forward in fulfilling a commitment made by Biden publicly. After spending several hours meeting with Xi in Woodside, California last fall, Biden pledged that the two leaders would increase communication by calling each other more frequently. This effort aims to prevent misunderstandings between two of the world's most influential nations.

President Biden and President Xi are scheduled to have a discussion about the US-China bilateral relationship. According to a senior administration official, they will also talk about the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, handling competition responsibly, and addressing various regional and global issues. The official emphasized the need for robust diplomacy to manage tensions, clear up misunderstandings, and prevent any accidental conflicts. This call serves as a crucial step towards achieving these goals.

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023.

President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate in Woodside, California, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 15, 2023. The leaders engaged in discussions on various important matters.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

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A senior administration official previewing the call emphasized that despite efforts to reduce tensions between the US and China over the past year, a phrase from Biden's summit with Xi still holds true: "Trust but verify."

The official highlighted the importance of verifying Chinese actions, rather than solely relying on their promises. When asked about Xi's assurance that Beijing will not interfere in the US' 2024 election, the official stressed the need to monitor and assess the actual results and behaviors, while addressing any concerns that may arise.

During November's summit, President Biden emphasized the positive aspects of his meeting with President Xi. However, he made it clear in an interview with a CNN reporter that he still considers Xi to be a dictator. This term, previously used by Biden to describe Xi, caused tension with the Chinese government and somewhat marred the otherwise significant meeting between the two leaders.

According to an official, the Biden administration intends to persist in expressing to Beijing the United States' serious worries about China's activities in hacking US critical infrastructure.

CNN had reported exclusively in January that during their meeting in November, Xi assured Biden that China would not interfere in the US presidential election. This assurance was also reiterated by the Chinese foreign minister to Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Biden and Xi planned to review the announcements made during their California summit last year. This includes the re-establishment of military-to-military communications between the two countries and their commitment to collaborate in curbing the production of fentanyl. The purpose of the conversation was to provide an update on the progress made in these areas over the past year.

Biden was also expected to address China's support for Russia over its continued war in Ukraine on Tuesday's call. This comes after Xi's recent pledge to "strengthen strategic coordination" between China and Russia on a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year.

While China has not openly provided lethal aid to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the official cautioned that China's support has enabled Russia to rebuild its defense industrial base. Essentially, China has filled the void left by European partners in trade.

The official mentioned on Monday that China is a sovereign country and will make its own decisions regarding its relationships. They also expressed concern about the direction things are heading in and believe it will be discussed.

It was noted that Biden and Xi had their last phone conversation in July 2022.

“We would hope there would be a chance for another in-person meeting” in the near future, the senior administration official said.

Yellen set to visit China this week

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be visiting China this week as part of the Biden administration's efforts to engage with Beijing. This will be her second visit to the country in her role as Treasury Secretary.

During her visit, Yellen will make two stops in Guangzhou and Beijing to meet with economists, students, and members of the business community. She plans to have open discussions about what the administration views as "unfair" trade practices by China.

The Treasury secretary has expressed concerns about the impact of China's overcapacity on the global economy. However, he has also highlighted that cutting ties with China's manufacturing sector would have negative consequences for the US.

Apart from Yellen, other US officials have engaged in discussions with Chinese counterparts in 2024, underscoring the importance that the administration places on its relationship with China.

In January, Sullivan had a meeting with the Chinese foreign minister in Bangkok. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also had a meeting with the Chinese official in Munich in February. The senior administration official mentioned that Blinken will be traveling to China himself in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to participate in a call with China’s minister of defense very soon.

Editor's P/S:

The recent phone call between President Biden and President Xi Jinping marks a significant step towards easing tensions between the US and China. The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, North Korea's nuclear capabilities, and human rights abuses by Beijing. The leaders also explored opportunities for cooperation in countering narcotics, advancing artificial intelligence, and addressing climate change.

Despite the positive tone of the phone call, concerns remain about China's actions in the South China Sea and its support for Russia in the Ukraine war. The Biden administration has emphasized the need to "trust but verify" Chinese promises, and will continue to monitor Beijing's actions closely. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's upcoming visit to China is another indication of the Biden administration's commitment to engaging with Beijing and addressing trade and economic issues.