WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden says China is in for extreme competition from the U.S. under his administration, but that the new relationship he wants to forge need not be one of conflict.
In an interview broadcast Sunday, Biden acknowledged that he has yet to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping since his inauguration Jan. 20, but noted that the two leaders had met many times when both men served their countries as vice president.
I know him pretty well, Biden said in an excerpt of the interview aired Sunday by CBS’ Face the Nation.
When they do speak, they will have a whole lot to talk about, Biden said.
Biden appears to be concentrating his initial telephone diplomacy on U.S. allies. He so far has spoken with the leaders of Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the NATO secretary-general.
He also worked in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the interview, Biden described Xi as very bright and very tough but…
