SIMIC

Chinese warplanes continue to fly by the island daily, with state media warning American actions could trigger a war.

However, signs are increasing that the US and China are starting to get out of the diplomatic spiral.

Mr Biden and Xi announced plans for a video summit in the coming weeks, the first public meeting between leaders of the countries in over two years.

China described talks between US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vce Premier Liu He as pragmatic, candid, and constructive.

Speaking up for Taiwan helps Mr Biden maintain American credibility in a region under growing Chinese influence, according to Australian National University lecturer Wen-Ti Sung.

"So long as there is sufficient communication between the US and China, and they can be reassured that both sides aim for competition without catastrophe, then cooperation between the world's two largest economies will remain possible and even desirable, regardless of the tough rhetoric they have been exchanging in public." said Mr Sung.