IntroductionUS President Joe Biden held a two-hour telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on April 2, 2024. This was the first interaction betwee

US President Joe Biden held a two-hour telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on April 2, 2024. This was the first interaction between Biden and Xi -- after the November 2023 meeting between both leaders in San Francisco -- on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

 on April 2, the US President, “emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea”.

Biden, during the telephonic discussion, also put forward Washington’s regarding China’s support for Russia’s defence industrial base and 

 of Beijing which impact American workers.

Xi Jinping on his part said that US interference in South China Sea was a ‘red line’. He also criticised US sanctions. According to the Chinese 

“If (the US) is adamant on containing China’s hi-tech development and depriving China of its legitimate right to development, China is not going to sit back and watch”

This is not the first time that China has been critical of US attempts to 

 from China. Beijing has categorically stated that Washington’s attempt to economically isolate the former will be counter-productive.

The timing of the conversation between Biden and Xi, dubbed as ‘

 by the US and ‘candid and in-depth exchange’ by China was interesting. It was held days before US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen’s visit to China (April 5-8, 2024). During her visit, Yellen put forward US concerns -- regarding what were perceived as ‘

 practised by China, along with challenges which US investors in China faced. Yellen also stated that China’s 

 for Russia’s war efforts could result in “serious consequences”.

While on the one hand, the Biden administration has sent out clear signals that it wants to engage with China to ensure that differences between both countries can be managed, on the other it is keen to build strong alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Days after this telephonic conversation, four countries --  US, Australia, Japan and Philippines – held joint naval drills in the South China Sea on April 7, 2024 referred to as 

 issued by the defence chiefs of the four countries said:

“the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region”

It would be pertinent to mention here that tensions between Philippines and China have risen after several confrontations in the Second Thomas Shoal in 

 In March 2024, the Philippines had summoned 

 envoy to Philippines after Manila accused China’s coastguard of firing water cannon at one of its supply boats and wounding three Filipino soldiers.

Biden will be hosting the inaugural trilateral summit with leaders of Japan and Philippines on April 11, 2024 in Washington DC.  US President Joe Biden, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are likely to discuss a gamut of issues during this meeting which is being held at an important time. The 

 and the need for greater security cooperation between the three nations,  is likely to be high on the agenda during this trilateral summit. A White House Spokesperson while commenting on the agenda of the trilateral summit on April 11, 2024 said leaders of the three 

“will discuss trilateral cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and emerging technologies, advance clean energy supply chains and climate cooperation, and further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,"

 It would be pertinent to mention here, that the US is planning a trilateral with leaders of Japan and South Korea in July 2024 – on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Washington DC.

In conclusion, the events of the past few days clearly highlight the fact that Washington is keen to keep channels of communication open with China, while also bolstering strategic ties with allies in Asia to counter China.

US-China ties: Continued engagement amidst serious strategic and economic differences

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