Joe Biden speaks to Xi Jinping over Covid-19, climate change as pan-Pacific tensions rise

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and discussed a range of issues, including COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. As per statement released by White House, Biden in his conversation with Xi Jinping affirmed his priorities of protecting American people's security, prosperity, health and way of life by preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. 2 leaders exchanged ir views on combating COVID-19 pandemic and also discussed challenged of global health, security and preventing weapons proliferation. tably, this is second time both leaders have spoken in last 7 days.

READ | Kamala Harris Discusses Climate Change, COVID-19 With French President Emmanuel Macron

Joe Biden dials Xi Jinping

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki while speaking to reporters said that US President wants to work with his partners and allies. While attending a daily news conference last week, Jen Psaki said, "He also is committed to being clear and candid in his engments ...his lengthy conversation with President Xi, where he talked about fundamental concerns he has, we have, about Beijing's coercive and unfair ecomic practices. That obviously covers a range of concern, a range of issues: crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuse across country, increasingly assertive actions in region, including toward Taiwan."

READ | Joe Biden Receives 'sweetest' Gift From Grandchildren On Presidents' Day, See Pictures

This latest development comes days after Joe Biden made his maiden phone call with his Chinese counterpart and talked about fundamental concerns he has with Beijing's coercive and unfair ecomic practices. 

Strained ties of US & China

international ties between US and China had come under deep strain during Donald Trump's administration, as two glocal powers sparred over a range of issues, including trade war, COVID-19 outbreak, espion allegations, media freedoms and human rights. Coronavirus pandemic had become main point of conflict between 2 nations after Trump accused China of t being transparent during initial st of pandemic in Wuhan in December 2019. 

READ | US: Joe Biden Gets A Letter By Goverrs About 'confusion Over Vaccine Rollout'

It is important to te that Xi was one of last global leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on vember's US Presidential elections. Before election results were anunced, Chinese President had said that he hopes both countries will stick to spirit of "n-confrontation, n-conflict mutual respect and spirit of win-win cooperation. He had also said he hopes that two sides will focus on cooperation and man differences along with advancing healthy and stable development of China-US ties.

READ | Strong 'India First' Hints Spice Up US President Biden's Phone Call To China's Xi Jinping