I am surprised to see Biden did not nod during the lengthy conversation.  People can tell the fact the U.S has been really anxious about its acute domestic problems that need China to give it a hand.  The quid pro quo?  It must be Taiwan.  

Good morning.

© Provided by The GuardianPhotograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

During a virtual summit Xi Jinping told Joe Biden that China was prepared to take “decisive measures” if Taiwan made any moves towards independence that crossed Beijing’s red lines.

Xi also warned the US president that any support for Taiwanese independence would be “like playing with fire”, according to a Chinese state media account of the summit, adding that “those who play with fire will get burned”.

The language represented stock Chinese nationalist rhetoric, given extra potency by being delivered in person at the most extensive talks to date between the two leaders.

In response, Biden said the US remained committed to the “one-China policy” that recognises only one sovereign Chinese state, and that Washington “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.

© Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/ReutersBiden speaks virtually with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the most substantial discussion since the president took office.