Biden and Xi Jinping's Candid Phone Call Tackles Global Challenges

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a candid and constructive discussion on various bilateral, regional, and global issues, according to the White House. This was their first phone conversation since their summit meeting in California last November. The call builds on previous meetings between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the Communist Party of China, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok on January 27, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with Wang in Munich in February this year.

A senior administration official highlighted the importance of intense diplomacy to manage tensions and prevent unintended conflict. The two leaders discussed areas of cooperation and areas of difference, including counter-narcotics cooperation, ongoing military-to-military communication, talks to address AI-related risks, and continuing efforts on climate change and people-to-people exchanges. Biden emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

Biden raised concerns over China's support for Russia's defence industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security. He also emphasised the US enduring commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Biden raised continued concerns about China's unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices, which harm American workers and families. The President emphasised 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 two leaders 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, including during upcoming visits by Secretary Yellen and Secretary Blinken. A senior administration official said that there are areas of cooperation where the interests of the two countries align, such as counter-narcotics, risk and safety issues related to AI, resumption of military-to-military communication channels, and climate issues.

The US and China need to maintain close consultation with law enforcement at the technical level to drive substantive law enforcement action. Biden will also express concern over Chinese actions in the South China Sea, including recent dangerous actions against routine Philippine maritime operations. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

The US has already expressed its concerns about China's support for Russia's work in Ukraine and its efforts to help Russia reconstitute its defence industrial base. The two leaders are expected to cover a range of other regional and global issues, including efforts to advance denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula. On economic and trade issues, Biden will likely reiterate concerns about China's unfair economic practices and convey that the US will continue to take actions to protect its economic interests.

In many conversations with Xi, Biden has consistently underscored the critical importance of respect for human rights. They expect Biden will again raise concerns regarding Hong Kong's autonomy erosion and PRC human rights abuses, including in Xinjiang. Following their call, Cabinet-level diplomacy will continue through visits by Secretary Yellen, Secretary Blinken, a Secretary Defence-Minister of Defence call soon, as well as travel by PRC officials to the United States.