China’s Xi wishes Biden a ‘speedy recovery’ from Covid

Pictured here is a news broadcast in China of President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in November 2021.
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BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping called U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday to wish the American leader a “speedy recovery” from Covid, according to state media.

Biden tested positive for Covid-19 and has “very mild symptoms,” the White House said Thursday. The U.S. embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment on the report of Xi’s call with Biden.

Xi expressed his “deepest sympathies” in the call, according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese state media report. The brief report did not mention whether the leaders discussed other topics.

On Wednesday, Biden told reporters at a briefing he expected to speak with Xi within 10 days, but did not specify reasons or topics for a call.

The two leaders last spoke in March, mostly about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China has refused to call the attack an invasion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping wished U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday a speedy recovery from Covid, according to state media.