Trump concludes visit to Beijing, hails progress in US-China relations
Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump left China on Friday after holding two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a significant meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.
Trump boarded Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport after attending an official tea ceremony and lunch on the final day of his visit before departing from the official residence complex of Xi, known as Zhongnanhai.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saw Trump off at the airport. During the farewell ceremony, soldiers stood in formation in front of Air Force One while students waved the flags of both countries.
Speaking to reporters while sitting with Xi during the tea ceremony, Trump praised his relationship with the Chinese leader and described it as “very strong.” He also said that the two had agreed that they did not want Iran to “have nuclear weapons. We want the strait (Hormuz) to remain open.”
“We want everything to end because the situation there is crazy, a little crazy. It’s not good and it shouldn’t happen,” said Trump.
Welcoming Trump, Xi explained the historical significance of Zhongnanhai Palace, which has been the residence of many of his predecessors. He also recalled Trump’s welcome to him at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in 2017.
“I chose this place specifically to reciprocate the hospitality that was given to me,” said Xi.
Trump’s visit to China took place amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East after US and Israeli forces launched attacks against Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the region, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. An indefinite ceasefire is currently in effect.
China has reiterated its call for dialogue in the region, while Washington has accused Beijing of supporting Iran’s military and economic capabilities.
Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening for a visit that was originally scheduled for late March, but was postponed due to the Iran war.
The trip marked the first visit by a sitting US president to China in the last nine years. Trump previously visited Beijing in 2017 during his first term.
Source: Anadolu
Translator: Nabil Ihsan