After more than three hours of virtual talks, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed China’s practices in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, among other points of contention, the White House said in a statement.

“President Biden expressed concerns about the People’s Republic of China’s practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as human rights in general,” the White House said.

According to the White House, he also told Xi that the US remains committed to the ‘One China’ policy regarding Taiwan, and the two agreed to collaborate on energy and climate issues.

According to Chinese state media, Xi told Biden that if “pro-Taiwan independence” forces crossed a “red line,” his country would have to take “decisive measures.”

China claims Taiwan, which is self-governed, as its own. Beijing has vowed to seize control of the island, using force if necessary.

The two leaders emphasized their global responsibility to avoid conflict.

“It appears to me that our responsibility as leaders of China and the United States is to ensure that our competition between our countries, whether intended or unintended, does not veer into conflict,” Biden said at the start of the talks.

“It’s just a straightforward competition.”

“As the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the United States must increase communication and cooperation,” Xi said through an interpreter.

The meeting was described as “frank, constructive, substantive, and fruitful” by the official Xinhua news agency.