Biden, Xi to hold talks amid new tensions over Taiwan

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. President Joe Biden plans to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, according to a U.S. official.

It’s their first conversation in four months, and it’s scheduled to take place amid new tension between Washington and Beijing over China’s claims on Taiwan.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly plans to visit the island, which governs itself even though China considers it part of its territory.

Besides Taiwan, other topics of conversation could include North Korea’s nuclear program, Russia’s war in Ukraine, efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal and U.S. tariffs imposed on China.