US President Donald Trump today told Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing that “it’s an honor to be your friend,” even as his Chinese counterpart offered warnings about avoiding a possible clash between the two nations during their meeting.
Asked how the talks with Xi went, Trump said: “Great.”
However, that is about all he said.
Photo: AP
Follow-up questions about whether they discussed Taiwan were asked.
Trump did not answer as he posed alongside Xi for photographs after they arrived at the Temple of Heaven.
Trump concluded the tour and was expected to return to his hotel before he returns to the Great Hall of the People to attend a state banquet in his honor.
The White House and Chinese state media said that the leaders concluded their meeting after about two hours of talks.
The leaders discussed trade, Taiwan and other differences in the US-China relationship.
The meeting was behind closed doors, but Xi told Trump during it that, if Taiwan is handled well, US-China relations “will enjoy overall stability,” according to a readout of their bilateral talks published by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.
However, if not, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi said.
That followed public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, where Trump was full of platitudes, saying of Xi: “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said, before adding that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”
The US has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear position of firm support for Taiwan and the government is very grateful, Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said when asked about the summit between Trump and Xi.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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