U.S. President Joe Biden speaks virtually with Chinese leader Xi Jinping from the White House in Washington, U.S. November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks virtually with Chinese leader Xi Jinping from the White House in Washington, U.S. November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Biden promises candor, Xi greets 'old friend' as U.S.-China talks open

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed their responsibility to the rest of the world to avoid conflict as the heads of the two top global economies opened their closely watched talks on Monday. Calling Biden an "old friend," Xi said the two sides must increase communication and cooperation to solve the many challenges they face. Biden promised to address areas of concern, including human rights and other issues in the Indo-Pacific region. "Maybe I should start more formally, although you and I have never been that formal with one another," Biden said from a conference table in the White House's Roosevelt Room, smiling broadly as the Chinese president appeared on a large screen in the room. "You and I have talked about this - all countries have to play by the same rules of the road." The U.S.-China bilateral relationship “seems to me to have a profound impact not only in our countries, but quite frankly the rest of the world," Biden said

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