US Joe Bidden and Xing Bing of China on TP conversation

Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken with his US counterpart Joe Biden for the first time in seven months.

A White House Statement said both leaders had "discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict".

This is only the second call between them since President Biden took office.

US- China relations have been tense, with clashes over issues like trade, espionage and the pandemic.

"The two leaders had a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge," the White House Statement added.

"This discussion, as President Biden made clear, was part of the United States' ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC."

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the phone call was "candid [and] in-depth", adding that it had covered "extensive strategic communication and... issues of mutual concern".

"Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world," said Mr Xi, according to the CCTV report.