In a significant diplomatic move, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a phone conversation on Tuesday. This marked their first conversation since their historic in-person summit in November and comes as part of ongoing efforts to defuse tensions between the United States and China.

Amidst a backdrop of global instability, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as concerns over North Korea's nuclear capabilities, President Biden and President Xi discussed various pressing issues. The conversation touched on topics such as Taiwan, China's recent actions in the South China Sea, and human rights abuses.

However, the two leaders also focused on areas of potential cooperation. They explored avenues for collaboration in countering narcotics, developing artificial intelligence, and addressing climate change, underscoring the need for mutual understanding despite their differences.

The White House described the hour and 45-minute conversation as "candid and constructive," highlighting the range of agreements and disagreements between the leaders. President Biden stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressed concerns over China's support for Russia's defense industry.

One key topic of discussion was China's trade tactics and their impact on American workers. President Biden emphasized that the United States will take necessary measures to prevent the misuse of advanced US technologies that could undermine national security, while still maintaining a commitment to trade and investment.

The leaders acknowledged the value of maintaining open channels of communication and committed to employing high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations in the future. As part of this effort, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to China, further illustrating the commitment to dialogue and engagement.

During the conversation, President Biden also raised concerns about TikTok, expressing the view that its ownership by the Chinese parent company ByteDance presents a national security issue for the United States. The President highlighted the House-passed legislation that seeks to spin off TikTok from ByteDance.

This phone call reflects President Biden's commitment to regular communication with President Xi, aiming to prevent misunderstandings between two leading nations. While efforts have been made to de-escalate tensions over the past year, the administration remains cautious and adheres to the principle of "Trust but verify." The United States will continue to address important issues, including Chinese cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure.

The leaders also planned to review the outcomes of their summit in California last year, particularly regarding the re-establishment of military-to-military communications and joint efforts to combat the production of fentanyl. This phone conversation served as a check-in on the progress made in these areas.

President Biden expressed concerns about China's support for Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine. Although China has not publicly provided lethal aid to Russia, its support has helped Russia rebuild its defense industrial base, filling the void left by European partners.

Looking ahead, the senior administration official expressed hope for another in-person meeting between President Biden and President Xi soon. As part of the ongoing engagement, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is scheduled to visit China this week to hold discussions on "unfair" trade practices. Yellen will meet with economists, students, and members of the business community in Guangzhou and Beijing.

The Biden administration continues to emphasize the critical nature of their bilateral relationship with China. In recent months, Secretary of State Blinken engaged with Chinese officials in Bangkok, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is expected to participate in a future call with China's minister of defense.

The conversation between President Biden and President Xi signifies an ongoing commitment to dialogue and resolution of shared challenges. Both leaders recognize the importance of addressing differences while seeking areas of cooperation to foster stability and prosperity globally.

[Article Ends]