In a "check-in" call on Tuesday morning, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a range of critical issues, including trade, cybersecurity, and regional concerns, according to the White House. The hour-long call, which served as an opportunity for the leaders to manage tensions and address misperceptions, marked their first discussion since November.

During the call, the leaders addressed China's trade with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The United States has expressed growing concerns about China's role in rebuilding Russia's defense industrial base, highlighting the need for responsible management of competition between the two nations.

The conversation also touched upon the issue of cyberattacks and election interference. President Biden's message to President Xi emphasized the importance of election security and the administration's concerns regarding foreign actors, including those from China, attempting to influence the upcoming 2024 election. The Biden administration has underscored the need for verification of Beijing's efforts in addressing these concerns.

The call additionally provided an opportunity for President Biden to reaffirm the "One China" policy, recognizing Beijing as the only legal government of China. President Biden emphasized the significance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, particularly in light of Taiwan's upcoming presidential inauguration in May, an event that holds regional importance.

Another topic of discussion was China's actions in the South China Sea. The United States expressed concerns over China's recent activities, including actions by Chinese coast guard ships that disrupted normal Philippine maritime operations. These destabilizing actions were addressed during the call.

According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, President Xi stressed that Taiwan is a "red line" in China-U.S. relations, stating that separatist activities and external support for "Taiwan independence" will not be tolerated. President Xi expressed hope that the United States would translate its stated position of not supporting "Taiwan independence" into action.

The call also touched upon areas of cooperation and difference between the two nations. Topics such as counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence-related risks, and climate issues were discussed. President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

President Biden raised concerns over Chinese company ByteDance's ownership of the popular video-sharing app TikTok, echoing the views of U.S. lawmakers who believe divestment is necessary to protect national and data security.

President Xi accused the United States of launching measures to suppress China's economy, trade, and technology, citing the increasing list of sanctions against Chinese companies. He warned that China would not sit idly by if the United States continued to suppress its high-tech development and legitimate right to progress.

To maintain open communication channels, President Biden and President Xi expressed support for high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations in the coming weeks and months. Future visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were mentioned as potential opportunities for further dialogue.

The call between President Biden and President Xi reflects the ongoing efforts by both countries to manage their complex relationship and address key concerns. With intense competition requiring intense diplomacy, the leaders are committed to preventing unintended conflict and finding common ground on regional and global matters.