Here in the US, the high stake summit between President Biden and China's President, Xi. The two had not spoken in a year. The careful choreography today after months of growing tensions between the two countries. Today, the handshake, the smile, and after a three and a half hour meeting, just moments ago, the images coming in as we were coming on the air, the unexpected moment, the two leaders on a walk. But there were many key issues going into this: China's relationship with Russia and with Iran. Its stance on Taiwan and fentanyl coming from China among the many sticking points. Here's our Chief White House course, our spot at Mary Bruce at the meeting site outside San Francisco. She's in Woodside, California, tonight.

Today, the car pulling up. Inside, China's leader, President Xi, about to get out and greet President Biden. The two leaders had not spoken in a year. President Biden just met with Vladimir Putin and has a relationship with Iran. But today, he was side-by-side with the US President, Biden, escorting she inside and at the top of the stairs, a wave. Inside, President Biden, who said more than a dozen visits with she through the years, said, It was good to see you. The two men sitting across the table started by delivering a message to each other, Biden pointing to years of talks between the two, saying they have always been straightforward and frank.

It is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications.

President, she then said, There is room for the US and China. For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. He said, planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, and one country's success is an opportunity for the other. But there have been growing tensions. The war in Ukraine and China's relationship with Russia, Israel's war with Hamas and China's relationship with Iran. The economic competition, technology, microchips made here and in China, protecting US intellectual property and China's role in deadly fentanyl coming into the US. Just this past year, the Chinese spy balloon floating over the US. And that call from the Pentagon, China would not answer. But late tonight, a breakthrough word military communications between the two countries will now resume.

I trust but verify as that old saying goes. That's where I am. We're in a competitive relationship, China and the United States. But my responsibility is to make this rational and manageable so it doesn't result in conflict.

Quite an image late today. Mary Bruce with us live from Woodside, California, tonight. Mary, President Biden, Chinese President, she meeting together behind closed doors, as you just reported, for several hours today. We know the list of issues is long, so what are you learning about their talks already?

Well, David, the talks have actually just ended after four hours. We did see them take that brief break, going for a walk, Biden saying it was going well and giving a thumbs up. It's clear they are trying to project a friendlier image. But President she today was also blunt saying one side can't remodel the other, that any conflict and confrontation would have unbearable consequences for.

Both countries.

David. Mary Bruce on this high stake summit in California. Thank you, Mary.

Hi, everyone. George Stephanopoulos here. Thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel. If you'd like to get more videos, show highlights and watch live event coverage, click on the right over here to subscribe to our channel. And don't forget to download the ABC news app for breaking news alerts. Thanks for watching.