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Biden and Kishida had a "very in-depth discussion" on China,
sharing concerns about its intimidation of neighbours and
"predatory" steps in trade and other realms, a U.S. official
said of the meeting last week, adding that Kishida was
particularly concerned about China's nuclear buildup.
"They yet again have baselessly smeared and attacked China, and
wantonly interfered with China's domestic affairs," said Zhao
Lijian, a spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry.
"The U.S and Japan are holding to Cold-War mentalities and
inciting ideological antagonism," Zhao said at a regular media
briefing.
Biden and Kishida also resolved "to push back" against China's
attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China
Seas, according to a White House statement.
Biden and Kishida's online meeting was their first substantial
talks since Kishida became Japan's prime minister in October. It
followed "two-plus-two" discussions this month at which defence
and foreign ministers from the longtime allies voiced strong
concern about China's growing might and vowed to respond if
necessary to destabilising activity in the Indo-Pacific.
(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by
Kim Coghill and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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