Biden, Chinese President Xi hold call amid recent tensions

President Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday amid mounting tensions between the two nations in recent months.

Biden initiated the call, just the second between the two leaders since he took office and the first in seven months. The call was less focused on hot-button issues and more on mending the U.S.-Chinese relationship. 

“The two leaders had a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge,” the White House said in a statement.

Biden addressed cybersecurity issues during the call, according to CNN, an issue that has been a main source of tension.

While the White House said it remains hopeful that the two nations can repair their relationship, China has pushed back, saying they will remain uncooperative until Biden can lessen his criticism of what the country says are Chinese internal matters.

Xi said the two sides should cooperate on climate change, COVID-19 response, economic recovery and other issues, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

He added that mending relations is crucial for the two countries.

“Chinese-U.S. confrontation will bring disaster to both countries and the world,” Xi said, according to the news outlet.