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Joe Biden finds time to put in a talk with Xi, just ahead of the mid terms.
The call happens through a confidential Zoom link.
Both men appear on the screen simultaneously.
High level assistants are in the room on either side but are not seen on screen.
Biden makes the call on Sunday at 8 pm Washington DC time — 9 am Beijing time on Monday.
Biden — Good morning.
Xi — Good evening to you.
Biden — Thank you.
Xi — I wish you well in the elections on Tuesday.
Biden — Thank you so much.
Xi — How do you think it’s going to turn out?
Biden — It’s going to be close. Very close. Closer than the polls estimate. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to our in person meeting.
So, Xi, you are now president for another 5 years.
Xi — What do you think about that?
Biden — I don’t think it’s a good idea.
Xi — Why not?
Biden — Leadership, like anything else, needs to be freshened up. You’ve done 10 years, like Hu Jintao did before you, now let someone else become president.
Xi — China is going through a difficult period and it’s best the nation have a seasoned leader.
Biden — There will always be one crisis or another, so that’s not a good excuse.
Xi — You’re trying to undermine our economy by not selling us the microchips we need…
Biden — We have to. Otherwise you’ll be wanting to take over the world.
Xi — We have no…
