President Biden recently spoke with China’s President Xi Jinping in a call that covered a range of combative and cooperative issues, including narcotics production, the Middle East conflict, North Korea’s nuclear program, and China’s support of Russia during the Ukraine war. The call was intended to be a “check-in” rather than a discussion with concrete outcomes during a pivotal political year, as both countries try to stabilize their relationship. The call took place ahead of a planned trip to China by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, marking the first visits by cabinet members this year.
Since last summer, Biden and Xi have been working to prevent any eruptions between their nations. Biden is focused on his re-election campaign, while Xi is dealing with economic and military challenges. The call follows in-person summits between the two leaders in 2021 and 2022, with the current call focusing on maintaining contact and managing competition responsibly. Biden also raised concerns about China’s aggression in the Pacific, particularly regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea, while reiterating the United States’ “one China policy.”
During the call, Xi stressed the importance of the Taiwan issue and called for concrete actions from the United States to demonstrate its commitment to not supporting Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, highlighted China’s increased military activity around Taiwan and cyberespionage efforts. Xi also criticized measures taken by the United States to suppress China’s economy, science, and technology, including limits on the export of advanced semiconductors. In response, Biden emphasized the need to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from undermining national security.
Biden also expressed concerns about China’s role in helping Russia rebuild its military-industrial base, which is providing military aid to support Russia in Ukraine. China’s trade with Russia has enabled the rebuilding of weapons production capabilities despite economic sanctions. Biden also sought China’s assistance in curbing attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi forces of Yemen. This request came in the context of ongoing discussions between the United States and China on various issues, including limiting the export of fentanyl-related chemicals, senior-level military talks, discussions on artificial intelligence, and climate change policy.
Overall, the call between Biden and Xi highlighted key areas of concern and cooperation between the United States and China. Despite tensions in various aspects of the relationship, both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining contact and managing competition responsibly. The call comes during a pivotal political year and as both countries work to stabilize their relationship amid global challenges. The ongoing dialogue between the two nations will likely continue to address a range of issues, with both sides seeking to assert their interests while also finding areas of cooperation.
