US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday, the White House said, as the two leaders discussed the need to avoid turning competition into a conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have been at their lowest level in decades and were only the second call between leaders since Biden took office in January.
A White House statement said the two leaders had “extensive, strategic discussions” that “include areas where our interests meet, and areas where our interests, values and perspectives differ.”
Chinese state media described the talks as “clear” and “intense”, with President Xi saying the US policy on China places great difficulties on the relationship between the two.
The Chinese report said that the two sides agreed to maintain constant contact.