Biden and Xi agree not to ‘veer into conflict’ in call

Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, spoke in their first phone call for seven months amid continuing tensions between the world’s two largest economies. During the 90-minute call, which was initiated by the US president, the two leaders discussed their shared responsibility to ensure competition does not “veer into conflict”, according to a readout from the White House.

The statement said the two leaders had “a broad, strategic discussion” including on “areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values and perspectives diverge”. It said Biden and Xi agreed to engage “openly and straightforwardly”.

A Chinese readout said the conversation was candid and in-depth. Xi allowed his officials to work with their US counterparts to “continue their engagement and dialogue to advance coordination and cooperation” on the climate emergency, Covid-19 response and economic recovery, as well as on significant international and regional issues, but added that they should be “on the basis of respecting each other’s core concerns”.