China has hailed a virtual meeting between Presidents Xi and Biden, saying they had a candid and constructive exchange that sent a strong signal to the world. Their first formal meeting since Biden took office in January lasted more than three hours.
The positive description of the meeting came in sharp contrast to heated exchanges between the two nations earlier this year. The talks appeared to mark what both sides hoped would be a turnaround in relations, though major differences remain.
The White House set low expectations for the meeting, and no major announcements or even a joint statement were delivered. Still, White House officials said the two leaders had a substantive exchange. “This is extremely dangerous, it’s playing with fire, and they that play with fire will burn themselves,” Xi was quoted as saying by the agency.
As U.S.-China tensions have mounted, both leaders also have found themselves under the weight of increased challenges in their own backyards. The U.S. president was joined in the Roosevelt Room for the video call by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a handful of aides. Xi, for his part, was accompanied in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People by communist party director Ding Xuexiang and a number of advisers.
Both leaders gave nods to their history with the other. Biden noted that the two have spent an “awful ... lot of time” speaking to each other over the years, and have never walked away “wondering what the other man is thinking.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden Seeks To Avoid Conflict, Xi Greets ‘Old Friend’ In Monday’s U.S.-China TalksTalks between Biden and Xi come at a time of major tensions between the U.S. and China.
Read more »
Biden and Xi meet virtually as US-China chasm widensPresident Joe Biden said that the US and China need to establish 'common-sense guardrails' as the world's preeminent superpowers seek to manage a bilateral relationship increasingly defined by competition.
Read more »
Biden promises candor, Xi greets 'old friend' as U.S.-China talks openU.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed their responsibility to the rest of the world to avoid conflict as the heads of the two top global economies opened their closely watched talks on Monday.
Read more »
Biden seeks 'guardrails' with China as he meets with XiPresident Biden is preparing for a high-stakes virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday.
Read more »
Biden and Xi meet virtually as US-China chasm widensWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden opened his virtual meeting with China’s XI Jinping on Monday by saying their goal is to ensure competition “does not veer into conflict.” The two leaders are meeting by video amid mounting tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.
Read more »
Quotes from Biden and Xi at start of their virtual meetingU.S. President Joe Biden began a virtual meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday. Here are some of their opening remarks delivered via video conference.
Read more »