“The leaders discussed the future of China-US relations and strategic issues of common concern during the meeting,” the Beijing administration said in a statement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met in an online meeting. The leaders, who have spoken on the phone twice since Biden took office in January, met for the first time via video conference.
During the meeting, the two leaders stated that as the leaders of the two most powerful economies in the world, they feel responsible to the whole world to avoid conflicts between the two countries.
“It seems to me that it is our responsibility, as leaders of the United States and China, that the rivalry between our countries does not consciously or unconsciously evolve into conflict,” Biden said.
Addressing Biden as an “old friend,” Xi said both sides should strive to increase communication and cooperation between them in solving the problems they face.
Delivering his speech through a translator, Xi said, “As the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the USA need to increase their communication and cooperation.”
Delegations Also Attended the Meeting
In addition to President Xi on the Chinese side many party members attended the meeting, such as Ding Shueshiang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CCP) Central Committee and Director of the General Office, Yang Cieçi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office.
On the US side, there were officials besides Biden, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen.