Xi, Biden hold phone talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on the phone Tuesday at the request of the latter. The two presidents had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual interest.

President Xi noted that his San Francisco meeting with President Biden last November opened a future-oriented San Francisco vision. Over the past months, their officials have acted on the presidential understandings in earnest. The China-U.S. relationship is beginning to stabilize, and this is welcomed by both societies and the international community. On the other hand, the negative factors of the relationship have also been growing, and this requires attention from both sides.

President Xi stressed that the issue of strategic perception is always fundamental to the China-U.S. relationship, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right. Two big countries like China and the United States should not cut off their ties or turn their back on each other, still less slide into conflict or confrontation. The two countries should respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. The relationship should continue moving forward in a stable, sound and sustainable way, rather than going backward.

7.3-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien in Taiwan, China at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time), followed by two aftershocks of 6.0-magnitude and 5.9-magnitude at 8:11 am and 8:35 am respectively, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The Tsunami Warning Center of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources issued a tsunami red warning following the earthquake, and Japan meteorological authority also issued a tsunami alert.

Following the earthquake, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that relevant parties in the mainland are highly concerned and express their sincere condolences to the Taiwan compatriots affected by the disaster. We will pay close attention to the disaster and subsequent situations, and are willing to provide disaster relief assistance, according to Zhu.