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Trump Set for Talks with Xi in China
(MENAFN) Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to hold substantive discussions on "major issues concerning China-US relations, world peace, and development," Beijing announced Monday, as the protracted U.S.-Iranian conflict continues to cast a long shadow over global affairs.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in China for a state visit from May 13–15 — his first trip to the country in nearly nine years. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun underscored the significance of the summit, telling reporters in Beijing that "heads of state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-US relations."
He added that China "stands ready to work with the US to expand cooperation and manage differences in the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit and provide more stability and certainty for transforming a volatile world."
The visit arrives against the backdrop of the prolonged U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which was launched on Feb. 28, resulting in over 3,300 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands. China has consistently condemned the strikes as "illegal," attributing them as the "root cause" of disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan came into effect on April 8 and has since been extended, though a permanent settlement remains elusive.
The summit had originally been penciled in for March 31–April 2, but was pushed back after Trump chose to remain focused on managing the Iran war.
Beyond the Middle East, the two leaders face a crowded and contentious agenda. U.S.-China relations have deteriorated sharply during Trump's second term, strained by escalating tariff disputes, technology export restrictions, and Beijing's moves to tighten its grip on rare earth elements — a sector in which it commands dominant global supply. Taiwan is also expected to feature prominently, following Washington's recent approval of a major arms package to the island, which China claims as its own territory.
The last leader-level visit from the U.S. to China took place in November 2017, when Trump made a state visit during his first term. Former President Joe Biden made no such trip during his tenure.
Beijing Rejects U.S. Sanctions Over Iran War
Separately, Washington has pressed Beijing to leverage its influence over Tehran and has moved to penalize Chinese firms allegedly supplying satellite imagery that enabled Iran to strike American forces in the region, as well as purchasing sanctioned Iranian oil. Beijing has blocked the U.S. action targeting five Chinese refiners, declaring that the sanctions "shall not be recognized, enforced, or complied with."
On Monday, Beijing again dismissed what it termed "illicit" unilateral measures.
"China stands firmly against illicit, unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of UN Security Council," spokesman Guo said, adding that the Chinese government "always asks Chinese companies and firms to act in accordance with laws and regulations."
"We will firmly protect the Chinese businesses' legitimate rights and interests," said Guo.
"The pressing priority now is to prevent, by all means, a relapse into fighting, rather than exploiting situation to smear other countries by associating (them) with the situation," said Guo.
Taiwan Watches Summit With Cautious Eye
Taiwan's top diplomat Lin Chia-lung said Monday that Taipei retains confidence in its "stable" relationship with Washington but is keeping a watchful eye on how the Taiwan question will be handled at the summit, local media reported.
"Of course, we don't want to see any surprises (regarding Taiwan) during the Trump-Xi meeting," he said, adding that the government would be "monitoring the summit closely," as reported by a Taipei-based news agency.
"We should be concerned, but not overly worried," he added.
China regards Taiwan as a "breakaway province," while Taipei has asserted its independence since 1949.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in China for a state visit from May 13–15 — his first trip to the country in nearly nine years. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun underscored the significance of the summit, telling reporters in Beijing that "heads of state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-US relations."
He added that China "stands ready to work with the US to expand cooperation and manage differences in the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit and provide more stability and certainty for transforming a volatile world."
The visit arrives against the backdrop of the prolonged U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which was launched on Feb. 28, resulting in over 3,300 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands. China has consistently condemned the strikes as "illegal," attributing them as the "root cause" of disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan came into effect on April 8 and has since been extended, though a permanent settlement remains elusive.
The summit had originally been penciled in for March 31–April 2, but was pushed back after Trump chose to remain focused on managing the Iran war.
Beyond the Middle East, the two leaders face a crowded and contentious agenda. U.S.-China relations have deteriorated sharply during Trump's second term, strained by escalating tariff disputes, technology export restrictions, and Beijing's moves to tighten its grip on rare earth elements — a sector in which it commands dominant global supply. Taiwan is also expected to feature prominently, following Washington's recent approval of a major arms package to the island, which China claims as its own territory.
The last leader-level visit from the U.S. to China took place in November 2017, when Trump made a state visit during his first term. Former President Joe Biden made no such trip during his tenure.
Beijing Rejects U.S. Sanctions Over Iran War
Separately, Washington has pressed Beijing to leverage its influence over Tehran and has moved to penalize Chinese firms allegedly supplying satellite imagery that enabled Iran to strike American forces in the region, as well as purchasing sanctioned Iranian oil. Beijing has blocked the U.S. action targeting five Chinese refiners, declaring that the sanctions "shall not be recognized, enforced, or complied with."
On Monday, Beijing again dismissed what it termed "illicit" unilateral measures.
"China stands firmly against illicit, unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of UN Security Council," spokesman Guo said, adding that the Chinese government "always asks Chinese companies and firms to act in accordance with laws and regulations."
"We will firmly protect the Chinese businesses' legitimate rights and interests," said Guo.
"The pressing priority now is to prevent, by all means, a relapse into fighting, rather than exploiting situation to smear other countries by associating (them) with the situation," said Guo.
Taiwan Watches Summit With Cautious Eye
Taiwan's top diplomat Lin Chia-lung said Monday that Taipei retains confidence in its "stable" relationship with Washington but is keeping a watchful eye on how the Taiwan question will be handled at the summit, local media reported.
"Of course, we don't want to see any surprises (regarding Taiwan) during the Trump-Xi meeting," he said, adding that the government would be "monitoring the summit closely," as reported by a Taipei-based news agency.
"We should be concerned, but not overly worried," he added.
China regards Taiwan as a "breakaway province," while Taipei has asserted its independence since 1949.
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