He also touted steps to check the risk that jetfighters and warships from the two nations could get into an accident around the increasingly crowded South China Sea.
“This is critically important. We’re resuming military-to-military contact, direct contacts,” Biden said. “Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real real trouble with a country like China, or any other major country.”
Asked what consequences would ensue if Beijing were to interfere with Taiwan’s upcoming elections, Biden said: “I didn’t expect any interference, any at all. We had that discussion as he was leaving.”
Biden was asked, given that his relationship with Xi goes back more than a decade, whether he trusted him.
“I trust but verify, as the old saying goes,” he said. “We’re in a competitive relationship, China and the United States, but my responsibility is to make this rational and manageable so it doesn’t result in conflict.”
Biden said he believes that after 10 years of meetings he knows Xi and how he operates. “We have disagreements. He has a different view than I have [on] a lot of things. But he’s been straight. I don’t mean that as good, bad or indifferent. Just been straight.”
06:03
US House Speaker Pelosi meets Taiwanese president, officials and activists on controversial visit
US House Speaker Pelosi meets Taiwanese president, officials and activists on controversial visit
“He and I agreed that each is willing to pick up the phone and call directly and be heard immediately,” Biden told reporters, flanked by two American flags.
“Any concern about anything between our nations or happening in our region, we should pick up the phone and call one another and we’ll take the call. That’s important progress,” he said.
Unofficial exchanges soared ahead of Xi-Biden meeting to smooth path for talks
Unofficial exchanges soared ahead of Xi-Biden meeting to smooth path for talks
In a readout released ahead of Biden’s press conference, China called for cooperation and mutual respect, appearing to signal a hoped-for reset after a prolonged downward spiral in relations.
“China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be defended, and bottom lines that must be adhered to,” it said.
Xi-Biden summit expectations at Apec dip further on stalled trade initiative
Xi-Biden summit expectations at Apec dip further on stalled trade initiative
Several issues were raised where there was no agreement, Biden said, including human rights, Chinese exit bans placed on American citizens and coercive activities in the South China Sea.
The two sides also discussed the war between Israel and Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where they also differ, he added.
China severed the three channels – aimed at preventing an inadvertent crisis and providing tools to work through one if the worst happens – after Pelosi’s visit.
The Chinese readout included notably direct and pointed language on the relationship and where it ideally should be headed.
Why the US push for military guard rails with China could be a near miss
Why the US push for military guard rails with China could be a near miss
“China has no plans to surpass or replace the United States, and the United States should not harbour plans to suppress or contain China,” the statement said.
“Both sides should understand each other’s bottom-line principles, not toss around, stir up trouble, or cross boundaries, communicate more, have more dialogues, and discuss more, and handle differences and accidents calmly,” it added.
Beijing often points out this lapse – along with US inability to control demand – when it is accused of contributing to the American scourge.
US-led AI declaration on military use sees 45 countries join, but not China
US-led AI declaration on military use sees 45 countries join, but not China
A key problem, according to a 2021 report by the Congressional Research Service, is that the widely varied analogues don’t lend themselves to easy definitions, which is important for criminal prosecutions.
Any effort to label them under schedule I risks including some substances that are harmless while excluding others that are potentially dangerous.
That may change, however, as the US Drug Enforcement Administration reviews public feedback on a proposed rule to categorise several fentanyl-related substances as schedule I.
Quoting Xi, who rarely gives press conferences, the Chinese readout said the two economic giants are at a crossroads.
They can strengthen cooperation on global challenges, security and prosperity. Or they can adopt a “zero-sum mentality, provoke conflict between camps and lead the world into turmoil and division,” the readout said.
“The two choices represent two directions that will determine the future of mankind and the future of the earth.”