US not seeking conflict with China, Biden says after Xi talks

 During their summit in Bali, Indonesia, the White House said the two presidents talked about Taiwan, cooperation, competitiveness, and human rights.

After meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 conference in Bali, Indonesia, US Vice President Joe Biden emphasized that Washington is aiming to avoid violence or a cold war with Beijing.

Monday marked the first time the two presidents had met in person since Vice President Joe Biden assumed office the previous year. Separate statements from their offices stated they urged for collaboration to face world issues.

According to the White House, Vice President Joe Biden stressed the need of cooperation between the United States and China in tackling "transnational concerns," such as climate change, global financial stability (including debt relief), health security, and global food security.

"Two sides should cooperate with other nations to provide more hope to world peace, more trust in global stability, and stronger impetus to shared development," Xi was quoted as saying by the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua.

Tensions between the two nations have been high since top US politician Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this year and Biden's promise to protect the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own, in the event of an invasion by China.

With regards to Taiwan, "[Biden] explained in detail that our one China policy has not changed, the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side, and the world has an interest in the continuation of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the White House said.

According to the "one China policy," Taiwan is an integral component of China. United States officials call Taiwan a "key partner" in commerce and security despite the country's "unofficial" relations with Taiwan.

Biden told reporters on Monday that the United States does not believe China poses an immediate threat of invading Taiwan.

I strongly disagree that we need a new Cold War," Biden remarked. I've had several conversations with Xi Jinping. And we were really forthright and open with one another. As for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, I don't see it happening anytime soon. And I made it clear that our policy in Taiwan has not changed at all.”

Relations between Beijing and Washington have worsened on a number of problems in recent years, including trade, human rights, claims in the South China Sea, and an ongoing US drive against expanding Chinese power in the Indo-Pacific, all of which are not related to Taiwan.

The White House reported on Monday that Vice President Joe Biden had voiced his displeasure with Chinese "practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and human rights more broadly" to President Xi Jinping.

The United States has accused China of committing genocide against its Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang, an accusation that Beijing has categorically rejected.

While outlining US defense and foreign policy plans, the White House and the Pentagon last month named Beijing as Washington's most significant strategic rival.

Biden told reporters on Monday, "We're going to compete hard, but I'm not seeking for war." "I intend to oversee this contest in an honorable fashion. Furthermore, it is my intention to see to it that all nations follow the agreed upon norms of international conduct.

SOURCE:NEWS AGENCIES