In a phonecall on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed a variety of issues, including counternarcotics cooperation, ongoing military-to-military communication, talks to address AI-related risks, and continuing efforts on climate change.
Overview
According to a senior US administration official, the call aimed to “address misperceptions, and prevent unintended conflict,” as the two countries’ “intense competition requires intense diplomacy to manage tensions.”
Both sides “welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship through high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations” in the months ahead, including during upcoming visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and State Secretary Antony Blinken.
Comments from Xi
According to a press release by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi noted that while the bilateral relationship “is beginning to stabilise,” which “is welcomed by both societies and the international community… the negative factors of the relationship have also been growing, and this requires attention from both sides.”
He stressed that the two powers must “respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation,” and that the relationship “should continue moving forward in a stable, sound, and sustainable way.”
Comments from Biden
For his part, Biden underscored the significance of upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and ensuring the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
The Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) April 2, 2024
President Xi urged the US side to translate President Biden’s commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” into concrete actions.
If the US side is willing to seek mutually…
He also expressed worries about China’s support for Russia’s defense industry and its implications for European and transatlantic security. Additionally, he reiterated the US’ unwavering commitment to achieving complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Biden further highlighted concerns regarding China’s unfair trade practices and non-market economic behaviours, which he said adversely affect American workers. He also stressed that Washington will take necessary measures to safeguard advanced US technologies from being misused to jeopardise national security, while maintaining trade and investment.
According to the readout published by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Biden stated that the US “does not seek a new Cold War, its objective is not to change China’s system, [and] its alliances are not targeted against China.” He added that the US does not support “Taiwan independence” nor seek conflict with China.
US-China High-Profile Meetings
The phone call is a continuation of ongoing efforts of engagement between the two superpowers, which follows the two leaders’ in-person meeting in Bali in November 2022 and the APEC summit in Woodside, California, in November 2023. During the Woodside summit meeting, they agreed to maintain consistent communication channels to responsibly manage competition and prevent inadvertent conflicts. The previous conversation between the two leaders occurred in July 2022.
These developments are further built upon by the extensive discussions between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok in January, as well as Secretary Blinken’s meeting with Wang in Munich in February.