CNBC reports that U.S. President Joe Biden called for America to work together against competition from China, as tensions between the two nations simmer.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is “deadly earnest on becoming the most significant, consequential nation in the world,” Biden said. He cited more than 24 hours of private conversation and travel with Xi, whom Biden met as vice president during the Obama administration.

Biden added: ”(Xi) and other autocrats think that democracy can’t compete in the 21st century with autocracies because it takes too long to get consensus.”

While Biden has sought to work more with traditional U.S. allies in putting pressure on China, he has stuck to Trump’s firm position on Beijing, including retaining tariffs and sanctions.

“We are in competition with China and other countries to win the 21st century,” Biden said. “We are at a great inflection point in history. We have to do more than just build back better. … We have to compete more strenuously.”

However, Biden said competition with China — or a strong U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific — does not mean the U.S. is looking for conflict. Xi was the first foreign national leader to speak last week at a U.S.-led climate summit.