Xi sends message of sympathy to Biden over Covid infection

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of sympathy to his US counterpart Joe Biden, state broadcaster CCTV reported, a day after the 79-year-old US leader tested positive for Covid-19.

Biden insisted Thursday he was doing “great” and said he would continue to work while isolating in the White House with mild symptoms.

“I want to offer you my deepest sympathy and wish you a speedy recovery,” Xi wrote in the message, CCTV reported.

It is the first public contact between the two leaders since their last virtual summit four months ago, as ties between the two global superpowers continue to sour over issues including Taiwan, Ukraine and competition in the tech sector.

The pair held a video conference on March 18 as Biden Xi warned against backing Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

The leaders have known each other for more than a decade, having traveled together when both were vice presidents.

Earlier this week, Biden said a call with Xi would take place within the “next 10 days,” weeks after the two countries’ top diplomats met to try to defuse escalating rhetoric about Taiwan.

Beijing recently blasted a planned trip to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. If Pelosi left, it would be the highest-level U.S. official visit to the self-governing island — which China claims is part of its territory — under the Biden administration.

Pelosi also raised the possibility of a military escalation from China, saying Thursday, “Maybe the military was afraid our plane would be shot down by the Chinese or something.”