Biden tells Xi US and China must not ‘veer into conflict’

White House says leaders agree to engage openly and straightforwardly' amid US frustration at lack of progress in relations

Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have spoken in their first phone call for seven months, amid continuing tensions between the world's two largest economies.

During the 90-minute call, which was initiated by the US president, the two leaders discussed their shared responsibility to ensure competition does not veer into conflict", according to a readout from the White House.