President Xi Holds Phone Talks With Joe Biden

President Xi Jinping on Friday morning held a phone conversation with his US counterpart Joe Biden, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The two leaders held candid, in-depth and broad strategic communication and exchanges on bilateral relations and relevant issues of shared interest, Xinhua said.

Mainland media quoted Xi as saying US policy on China has caused "serious difficulties".

"Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world. And this is a question of the century that both countries must answer," he said, according to broadcaster CCTV.

A White House statement said the two leaders had "a broad, strategic discussion," including "areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge."

"President Biden underscored the United States' enduring interest in peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict," the statement said.