Chinese Foreign Minister: Xi-Trump Discussed Taiwan and Trade Relations

Beijing (ANTARA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi revealed several outcomes of the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, ranging from the issue of Taiwan to the situation in the Middle East.

“In this meeting, the issue of Taiwan was one of the main topics. China’s position is very clear. First, the Taiwan issue is an internal matter for China,” said Wang Yi in a statement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website, Friday (15/5) evening.

Xi and Trump held a bilateral meeting for more than two hours on Thursday, followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

On Friday, Trump also received a private tour of Zhongnanhai, the complex that houses the offices and official residence of Xi Jinping and other senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

Wang Yi said that achieving “complete national reunification” is a shared aspiration of the Chinese people.

“Mainland China and Taiwan are both part of one China,” he said.

He said that the “One China” principle and the three joint communiques between China and the US must continue to be upheld by the United States.

“If handled well, relations between the two countries can maintain overall stability. However, if not handled well, the two countries may experience friction and even conflict,” said Wang Yi.

He said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait can only be maintained if there is no support for “Taiwan independence”.

“In this meeting, we felt that the United States understands China’s position, pays attention to China’s concerns, and, like the international community, does not recognise or accept Taiwan’s move towards independence,” he said.

Regarding economic relations, Wang Yi said that China and the US should build mutually beneficial relations.

“In the face of differences and friction, equal consultation is the only right choice,” he said.

According to Wang Yi, the economic teams of the two countries have achieved results that are considered balanced and positive.

Wang Yi said that both sides are still discussing the technical details before agreeing on the implementation of the results of the consultation.

Regarding the Middle East, he said that President Xi stressed that military force cannot solve regional problems.

“Dialogue is the right way. Negotiations will not be completed in one step, but because the door to dialogue has been opened, that door should not be closed again,” said Wang Yi.

China also encourages the United States and Iran to resolve their differences, including the nuclear issue, through dialogue.

In addition, China supports the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining the ceasefire.

“China believes that the fundamental way to resolve the problem of the strait is to achieve a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” he said.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi said that China and the US both hope that the war will end soon.

“China and the US are willing to continue to maintain communication and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis,” he said.