Biden Says Chinese Leader Xi Not an ‘Old Friend,’ Questions Beijing’s Desire to Find Virus Origin

President Joe Biden holds a news conference after the U.S.-Russia summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, 2021. Peter Klaunzer/Pool via Reuters

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is not President Joe Biden’s “old friend,” Biden said on June 16 as he raised concerns about Beijing’s willingness to help find the origins of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

Asked if the president would call Xi and ask him “old friend to old friend” to re-admit World Health Organization investigators, Biden said: “Let’s get something straight: We know each other well, we’re not old friends. It’s just pure business.”