This is the leaders fifth call since Biden took office and their longest—highlighting the rising tensions between the world’s two most powerful economies
President Biden held his longest call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday amid tensions between the two world powers.
According to China’s state news agency, President Xi sternly warned President Biden, that Those who play with fire will only get burnt, referring to the U.S.’ involvement in Taiwan’s independence.
The call marked their fifth since Biden took office in 2021 and was the longest that the two have ever shared begging at 8:33 a.m. ET and lasted two hours and 17 minutes, the White House said. The length speaks to the rising tensions between the world’s two most powerful economies.
The U.S. has officially maintained a passive position, insisting it does not support Taiwan’s independence.
The news of the extended phone call comes amid House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan, to which Beijing has issued multiple warnings and threats of repercussions.
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is an island nation off the coast of Asia’s mainland. Taiwan has declared itself independent of the People’s Republic of China and has claimed continuation of governance from pre-revolutionary China.
Chinese government officials have recently demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., cancel a planned trip to Taiwan, saying it is a betrayal of Chinese-U.S. foreign policy agreements.
The People’s Republic of China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait, the relatively narrow strip of ocean between the island of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. The Chinese military has frequently sent planes into the area, testing Taiwan’s air defense zone.
The White House said the call was a part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to maintain and deepen lines of communication between the United States and the PRC and responsibly manage our differences and work together where our interests align.
