Alexandra Alper and David Brunnstrom by Michael Martina

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden told Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a virtual meeting Monday. The purpose of this meeting was to reduce the chance of a superpower clash. A senior U.S. administration officials stated that China should “play by rules of the road”, as a responsible country.

Biden started the video dialogue and the United States expected it to last several hours Monday evening Washington time. It will discuss future U.S. China competition terms, an official stated.

Both parties hope that more extensive discussions between leaders than ever since Biden took office will improve the relationship.

China and the United States, two of the largest economies in the world, differ on several issues, including the source and extent of the COVID-19 Pandemic. China has an expanding nuclear arsenal, and Beijing is putting more pressure on Taiwan.

According to a U.S. official, “This is an occasion for President Biden, to tell President Xi direct that he expects his to play by the Rules of the Road, which is what other responsibly nations do.” He cited a number of U.S. concerns such as China’s economic coercion of U.S. allies, and alleged human right abuses.

Biden said that he is focused on creating these rules in “a way that’s favorable to our interest and our values,” adding that China-US talks should be “substantive, not symbolic.”

The official stated, “This meeting is not one where we expect deliverables will be coming out.”

Officials from the United States have downplayed any progress in trade. China has not fulfilled its commitment to purchase $200 billion in U.S. services and goods, while China remains behind. Biden is not planning to scale back U.S. duties on Chinese goods, as Beijing and business organizations hope.

He declined to answer any questions about whether officials from the United States would travel to Beijing for the Winter Olympics. The Biden administration has been urged by activists and U.S. legislators to cancel the Olympics.

‘DEEP SUSPICION’

Xi is looking forward to next year’s Games and a crucial Communist Party Congress, where he will be able to win an unprecedented third term. He also wants to avoid increased tensions with America.

Biden, however, presented competing visions. Biden emphasized the U.S. commitment towards an Indo-Pacific that is “free and open” while Xi cautioned against a return back to Cold War tensions.

Scott Kennedy from Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that both sides have deep suspicion and are making substantive efforts to rival each other in terms of economics, security, and politics.

After the Pentagon’s report that China had significantly increased its missile and nuclear weapon programs, Democrats want Biden to prioritize nuclear risk reduction with China.

Beijing says its arsenal is smaller than Russia’s. Beijing is open to dialogue with Washington if Washington lowers its nuclear stocks to China’s.

Taiwan will likely play a major role in these talks. Washington and Beijing are increasingly at odds over Taiwan’s self-rule, which China considers its own.

Biden’s administration is trying to make Taiwan more part of the international system. Beijing has pledged that it will bring Taiwan back to the mainland, using force if necessary.

Antony Blinken (US Secretary of State) stated that Washington and its allies will take unspecified actions if China uses force to modify Taiwan’s status. The statement further confuses long-held U.S. policies of “strategic confusion” regarding whether the United States would react militarily.

Wang Yi, a senior Chinese diplomat spoke out against Washington’s sending of the wrong signals. He called Blinken Saturday to warn Washington about not sending any negative messages.

Republican Senator Bill Hagerty was the ambassador to Japan for Trump. He said Biden had to be firm with Xi.

Biden stated that this was President Biden’s chance to demonstrate steel, strength and support America’s side. He also said that he would not condone or endorse the ill-treatment of China.