US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have said that both should avoid any confrontation while showing responsibility for the sake of the world.
According to the news agency Reuters, talks have started in a virtual meeting between the presidents of the two world economies on Monday.
Xi Jinping called Biden an "old friend" and said the two countries should work together to address the challenges they face.Biden also promised the Chinese president to address other issues in the Indo-Pacific region, including human rights.
At the beginning of the meeting, Joe Biden told the White House, where the Chinese president was seen on a big screen, "I think I should start a formal conversation even though we have no problem with each other."
"You and I have talked about this, all countries have to follow the same rules," he added.
According to Biden, "American-Chinese bilateral relations have a profound effect not only on our countries but also on other countries of the world."
Chinese President Xi Jinping responded through a spokesman, saying "the United States and China, as members of the world economies and members of the Security Council, should increase coordination and cooperation."
The talks, initiated by Biden, began at 7:45 pm and focused on improving relations and easing tensions.The meeting between the two leaders was covered by a small group of reporters, while before the meeting, experts thought it could last for several hours.
China and the United States have differences over the causes of the Corona epidemic, trade, competition laws, Beijing's growing nuclear program and pressure on Taiwan.
US officials do not expect much in the way of concrete agreements between the two countries, including on trade.
White declined to comment on whether the United States would send officials to Beijing for the February Olympics.
US lawmakers and activists have called on Biden to boycott the Games.
Scott Kennedy, an expert at Washington Strategic and International Studies, says the nature of the talks shows that both sides are working to strengthen the relationship.
However he acknowledged that their numbers were not enough to defeat President Conte's government.
