Russia-Ukraine war in no-one's interest, Xi tells Biden

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said war is "in no one's interest" during a phone call Friday with Joe Biden in which the US president aimed to pressure Beijing into joining Western condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 1:50 hour-long phone call ended at 10:53 am in Washington (1453 GMT), the White House said. US president Joe Biden sought to prevent China from boosting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Chinese president Xi Jinping told his American counterpart Joe Biden that conflicts between states are in no one's interest and that Washington must shoulder due responsibilities for world peace.

"State-to-state relations cannot go to the stage of military hostilities," the Chinese president said, adding that peace and security are the most valued treasures of the international community.  Jinping said, "The relations between the world's top two economies should move forward along the right track as part of the efforts for world peace and tranquility." China and the United States should "shoulder international responsibilities," Xi was quoted.  The talks were being seen as an opportunity for Biden to evaluate where Beijing stands on the Russia-Ukraine war and how Jinping views his country's role, especially after some Chinese government officials issued conflicting statements on their support for Ukraine and Russia.