On September 10, 2021, US President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the telephone for the first time since taking office, in a call that lasted around 90 minutes and covered various topics, including the economic war between the two countries, and the possibility of easing tensions. The call was seen as a significant development in the relationship between the two nations, which has been strained since the presidency of Donald Trump. According to a statement from the White House, the call was intended to prevent competition with China from escalating into a conflict, and to discuss necessary steps to resolve the dispute.
background to the call
The differences between the United States and China began to escalate as soon as former President Donald Trump took office, with each side imposing tariffs on the other’s products and tightening economic sanctions. The situation remained tense even after the inauguration of Joe Biden as the new US President, with the US administration approaching China only seven months later. However, in a statement, the White House said that President Biden wants to prevent competition with China from escalating into a conflict, and to discuss with his counterpart the necessary steps to resolve the dispute. As President Biden noted, the goal of the call was to “ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict,” and to find ways to cooperate on issues of mutual interest.
recent developments in us-china relations
Last month, China and the United States discussed military issues related to Afghanistan for the first time, in a video conference between Major General Huang Jiping, who is in charge of operations for China’s international military, and his US counterpart. The Chinese military expressed willingness to continue talks at the mid-level military level in a webinar. This development was seen as a positive step towards easing tensions between the two nations. According to a report by the US Department of Defense, the talks covered issues such as counter-terrorism and regional security, and were intended to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the two militaries. As General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted, “the talks were productive and helpful in promoting greater understanding between our two militaries.”
reaction from china
A statement issued by China said that the talks between the two leaders were quite open and deep, but that US policies on China have already caused serious difficulties, which has increased tensions between the two countries. The statement also noted that China is committed to maintaining ties with the US in the future, but that the US must take concrete steps to address China’s concerns. As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted, “the US side should take concrete actions to address China’s concerns, and work with China to promote the healthy and stable development of China-US relations.” The statement also emphasized the need for the US to respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to avoid interfering in China’s internal affairs.
implications of the call
The call between President Biden and President Xi has significant implications for the relationship between the two nations, and for the global economy. As President Biden noted, the US and China have a responsibility to work together to address global challenges, such as climate change and pandemics. The call also highlights the need for the US and China to find ways to cooperate on issues of mutual interest, while also addressing their differences in a constructive and respectful manner. According to a report by the US-China Business Council, the call is a positive step towards easing tensions between the two nations, and towards promoting greater cooperation and understanding. As President Biden said, “we have a lot of work to do, but I am committed to working with China to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and around the world.” The call between the two leaders marks a new chapter in the relationship between the US and China, one that is characterized by a willingness to engage in open and honest dialogue, and to work together to address common challenges.
