Beijing/New York: Projecting the high-stakes talks with China’s President Xi Jinping as “positive,” President Donald Trump said that the Washington–Beijing relationship is “one of the most consequential in world history.”
During remarks at a state reception in Beijing, Trump also extended an invitation for Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to visit the White House on September 24, underscoring a continued push to strengthen diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
“Thank you again, President Xi, for this beautiful welcome, and tonight it is my honor to extend an invitation to you and Madam Peng to visit us at the White House this September 24. We look forward to it,” Trump said.
He described US-China ties as “very special” and among “the most consequential relationships in world history,” adding that the day’s talks were “extremely positive and productive.”
Calling Xi “my friend,” he said the relationship between Washington and Beijing has deep historical roots dating back to early trade exchanges. “The world is a special world with the two of us united and together,” Trump added, while toasting what he called a strong and stable partnership between the two countries.
The White House said that Trump and Xi Jinping held a "good" meeting in Beijing and the two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation.
‘Strait of Hormuz must remain open’
The United States and China have agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and the crucial Strait of Hormuz must remain open, a White House official said after Trump and Jinping held a high-stakes summit in Beijing.
The leaders had the much-anticipated meeting at the imposing Great Hall of the People, during which they discussed an array of consequential issues, including trade, the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and Taiwan, the self-governing democracy China considers part of its territory.
The meeting came amid an impasse in peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending their months-old war and reopening safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for oil, fertiliser, and other commodities.
"The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. President Xi also made clear China's opposition to the militarisation of the strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use," the official said, casting the Trump-Xi meeting as "good."
"And he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China's dependence on the strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," the official added.
At the summit, both Trump and Xi signalled their desire to stably manage bilateral ties, but the Chinese leader staked out Beijing's firm position on Taiwan.
Xi said a "stable" Sino-US relationship is "good for the world," expressing his belief that the two countries have more common interests than differences.
Xi told Trump that the Taiwan question is the "most important issue" in US-China relations and that if it is not handled properly, the two countries will have clashes and even "conflicts," putting the entire relationship "in great jeopardy," according to Xinhua.
Following their talks, the two leaders visited the Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex, and attended a state banquet.
