Trump, Xi reaffirm ties but Taiwan comes in between
CHINESE President Xi Jinping congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump in a phone call, expressing hope that the relations between their two countries would be more harmonious as they work together toward global peace while "respecting each other's core interests, highlighted by the delicate nature of the Taiwan issue." Trump and Xi spoke to each other on Friday night ahead of the US chief executive's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila. In that phone call, the embassy said Xi emphasized the importance of their interactions and expressed a desire for progress in their relationship from this new starting point. He acknowledged that both nations were driven by their unique aspirations, each striving to improve the lives of their citizens, suggesting that they could work together as partners and friends, fostering shared prosperity that benefits their countries and the entire world. Xi, however, also addressed the realities of their relationship, noting that it is natural for two large countries with different systems to experience disagreements and underlined the "necessity of respecting each other's core interests and highlighted the delicate nature of the Taiwan issue, urging the US to approach it "with caution." Xi reiterated that the economic ties between the two nations were fundamentally beneficial and that both should avoid confrontation, focusing instead on collaboration. The embassy said Trump expressed gratitude for the congratulations and underlined his appreciation for their relationship. He was quoted as saying that he was eager for an ongoing dialogue and looked forward to meeting in person. Trump asserted his belief in the importance of the United States and China maintaining a harmonious relationship for years to come, working together toward global peace. The phone call between the two world leaders comes a day after Trump's top diplomat pick, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, warned China to "stop messing around" with the Philippines and Taiwan, noting that its "deeply destabilizing" actions in the region are compelling the US to "counteract." During his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Thursday (Manila time), Rubio discouraged Beijing from carrying out "anything rash or irrational" when it comes to the Philippines or Taiwan if it is serious about stabilizing US-China relations. Trump and Xi also discussed other pressing global issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Recognizing the weight of their responsibilities, the two world leaders agreed to establish a strategic communication channel, ensuring they could engage regularly on significant matters of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Vice President Han Zheng, a special representative of President Xi, prepared to attend the inauguration ceremony of Trump on Jan. 20.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
CHINESE President Xi Jinping congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump in a phone call, expressing hope that the relations between their two countries would be more harmonious as they work together toward global peace while "respecting each other's core interests, highlighted by the delicate nature of the Taiwan issue."
Trump and Xi spoke to each other on Friday night ahead of the US chief executive's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
In that phone call, the embassy said Xi emphasized the importance of their interactions and expressed a desire for progress in their relationship from this new starting point.
He acknowledged that both nations were driven by their unique aspirations, each striving to improve the lives of their citizens, suggesting that they could work together as partners and friends, fostering shared prosperity that benefits their countries and the entire world.
Xi, however, also addressed the realities of their relationship, noting that it is natural for two large countries with different systems to experience disagreements and underlined the "necessity of respecting each other's core interests and highlighted the delicate nature of the Taiwan issue, urging the US to approach it "with caution."
Xi reiterated that the economic ties between the two nations were fundamentally beneficial and that both should avoid confrontation, focusing instead on collaboration.
The embassy said Trump expressed gratitude for the congratulations and underlined his appreciation for their relationship. He was quoted as saying that he was eager for an ongoing dialogue and looked forward to meeting in person.
Trump asserted his belief in the importance of the United States and China maintaining a harmonious relationship for years to come, working together toward global peace.
The phone call between the two world leaders comes a day after Trump's top diplomat pick, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, warned China to "stop messing around" with the Philippines and Taiwan, noting that its "deeply destabilizing" actions in the region are compelling the US to "counteract."
During his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Thursday (Manila time), Rubio discouraged Beijing from carrying out "anything rash or irrational" when it comes to the Philippines or Taiwan if it is serious about stabilizing US-China relations.
Trump and Xi also discussed other pressing global issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Recognizing the weight of their responsibilities, the two world leaders agreed to establish a strategic communication channel, ensuring they could engage regularly on significant matters of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, Vice President Han Zheng, a special representative of President Xi, prepared to attend the inauguration ceremony of Trump on Jan. 20.
