Joe Biden and Li Keqiang break US-China diplomatic ice at East Asia Summit
- Two leaders attend discussion in Phnom Penh ahead of expected Xi Jinping-Biden talks at G20
- White House says US leader underlines need for access to East China and South China seas
The two were in a discussion at the East Asia Summit, a forum held among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) states and the group’s dialogue partners.
Although they are not known to have exchange words directly, the closed-door encounter is the first between Biden and any senior Chinese leader in two years and comes as tensions between the world’s two largest economies are at their worst in decades.
The White House said Biden spoke about a range of issues, including the need to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in the East China and South China seas.
Biden also highlighted that the US would “compete vigorously” with China and speak out against its human rights abuses while also keeping communication open and ensuring “competition does not veer into conflict”.
“He reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the White House said.