Joe Biden speaks to Xi Jinping on phone, talks about global crises, AI, and climate issues

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (Apr 2) spoke to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping amid tensions simmering across the sensitive Taiwan Strait, with Washington hoping to keep it from escalating especially ahead of Taiwan's presidential inauguration in May.

They discussed Russia's war with Ukraine, the issues of cyberattacks and election interference, artificial intelligence, climate issues and efforts to counter illicit narcotics traffic, said media reports.

The White House said the discussions were"candid and constructive," and touched on a host of bilateral, regional and global issues. "Mr. Biden and Xi welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship through high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations in the weeks and months ahead," said the White House.

Biden highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law. He mentioned the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

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The two leaders have not spoken on the phone since July 2022 andit was their first direct conversation since meeting in November. Biden and Xi have praised channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship through high-level diplomacy between both nations.

The two leaders met in Woodside, California in November 2023. Post-meeting comments by Biden became quite controversial as he told reporters that he had not changed his view that Xi is a dictator. The remarks made China angry.

The official release by the White House mentioned that both leaders held a candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. they talked about areas of cooperation and areas of difference.

A senior administration official, who wished not to be named, was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters that Biden was expected to reaffirm the US support for Beijing's "One China policy".

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As per the release, Biden raised concerns over China's support for the Russian defence industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security. He also noted America's commitment to the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean Peninsula.

Besides global conflicts, Biden also raised concerns about China's "unfair trade policies" and "non-market economic practices". Washington has often said that such policies harm the US workers and families.

Biden told Xi that the US will continue to take "necessary actions" to prevent advanced US technologies from being used to undermine national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment.

The call assumes importance as senior U.S. officials are scheduled to travel to China. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to depart on Wednesday for a six-day trip to China.

(With inputs from agencies)