Joe Biden holds call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in latest effort to ease tensions over Taiwan, fentanyl, AI and election interference

President Joe Biden held a phone call with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday morning in the latest effort to drive down tensions between the world's two most powerful nations.

He used the conversation to push Beijing over its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and to emphasise the need for peace in the Taiwan Strait, amid constant Chinese threats it is preparing to take the island by force. 

It was their first call since meeting in California almost five months ago.

And it comes ahead of another potential flashpoint next month: The inauguration of Taiwan's new president. 

White House officials characterized the call as 'candid and constructive.'

The White House confirmed Tuesday that President Joe Biden had spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping by telephone, their first conversation in almost five months

'President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,' the White House said in its readout of the call.

'He raised concerns over the [Peoples Republic of China's] support for Russia's defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security, and he emphasized the United States' enduring commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.'

The two leaders have attempted to maintain a level of diplomatic professionalism at a time of deep mutual suspicion between their two countries.

That mistrust deepened last year when a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon crossed the United States before being shot down by an American warplane. 

Biden also raised concerns about China's 'unfair trade policies' and said the U.S. would continue to take action to prevent American technologies being used against its national security. 

Xi told Biden that the two countries should adopt the principles of 'no clash, no confrontation' for the year ahead.

'We should prioritize stability, not provoke troubles, not cross lines but maintain the overall stability of China-U.S. relations, he said, according to China Central Television.

Ahead of the call, a senior administration official told reporters that the aim was to strengthen lines of communication. 

Particular areas of concern include the potential for election interference. 

Last month 32 Chinese warplanes were detected over Taiwan in just 24 hours, the country's defense ministry said. Pictured: File photo of a Chinese jet near a US fighter

President Joe Biden last spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, at the Filoli Estate in California on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference

'Like with any message we deliver to China or to other countries, it is one of continual reinforcement of concern,' said the official. 

'And I don't think we ever really take the Chinese at their word when they say they will or will not do something. It is about verifying as the president says.

Other topics on the agenda were counter-narcotics cooperation, to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl, military-to-military contacts, climate change, and the potential risks of artificial intelligence. 

'The two leaders agreed to maintain regular open lines of communication to responsibly manage competition and prevent unintended conflict,' said the official before the call. 

'And this phone call really is just part of that ongoing effort.'

The two leaders were also expected to discuss Taiwan, ahead of the inauguration of Lai Ching-te who has promised to safeguard its independence from Beijing.

Although Biden was due to emphasize Washington's 'One China' stance, acknowledging Beijing's claim to the island, he was also planning to warn off any attempts to take Taiwan by force. 

Lai Ching-te will be inaugurated as president of Taiwan next month. China has made no secret of its plan to eventually reunite with the breakaway island

One issue that was not highlighted in advance was TikTok. The wildly popular app is in the sights of U.S. lawmakers who are considering a plan to ban it if its Chinese owners do sell its stakes.

More high-level meetings are due to follow Tuesday's call. 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to China on Thursday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has a trip in the works in the weeks ahead. 

Earlier this year, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the November meeting had underscored the need for more contacts between senior officials from either side. 

In San Francisco, the two leaders agreed to try to reduce tensions over a range of issues from Chinese military activity around Taiwan and American exports controls on a range of advanced tech. 

Those tensions had driven relations to the lowest point in decades. 

The region will be in the spotlight at the White House next week when Biden is due to host Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Chinese influence is expected to be top of the agenda.