WASHINGTON (AP) — President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone Tuesday, the White House said, marking the first time the two leaders have spoken since the meeting in use last November.
The president and his Chinese counterpart discussed artificial intelligence, counternarcotics and climate issues, according to the White House summary of the call. A senior administration official who anticipated the call said Biden is also in a position to strain the need for peace. and stability in Taiwan ahead of next month’s inauguration of Lai Ching-te, who won the island’s presidential election in January, and reiterating the U. S. commitment to the longstanding “One China” policy.
The White House said the discussion was “frank and constructive” and addressed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues. Biden and Xi “welcomed ongoing efforts to open channels of communication and responsibly manage relations through high-level international relations and operational operations. “high-level consultations in the coming weeks and months,” according to the White House.
Biden and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco last fall, and the two agreed to keep lines of communication open, in part to avoid an accidental conflict. The leaders moved forward in their meeting on the resumption. of military-to-military communications and the fentanyl crackdown.
Tuesday’s call is part of the two leaders’ ongoing efforts to achieve a normal dialogue, according to the senior administration official, and the president is expected to talk about the importance of strengthening those lines of communication.
Biden expressed China’s support for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and its recent moves in the South China Sea, the White House said, adding recent incidents involving Philippine ships off Second Thomas Shoal. The U. S. warned that, under a 1951 treaty, it would protect the Philippines. opposed to armed attack.
The president is also under pressure over the need to continue actions to combat illegal drug trafficking and limit the use of certain precursor chemicals used to make illegal man-made drugs, according to the White House.
The call between Biden and Xi comes as senior U. S. officials prepare to travel to China. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to leave Washington on Wednesday for a six-day vacation that will include engagements in Guangzhou and Beijing, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It is also expected to do so to China, although it is unclear exactly when.
Kristin Brown contributed to this report.