Xi, Trump Hold Phone Call on China–U.S. Ties, Taiwan, Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on the evening of February 4, exchanging views on China–U.S. relations and reaffirming the need to strengthen communication, manage differences and expand cooperation between the world's two largest economies.

Xi said that over the past year, the two sides had maintained good communication and held a successful meeting in Busan, which provided strategic guidance for bilateral relations and was welcomed by the peoples of both countries and the international community. He stressed that he attaches great importance to China–U.S. relations and expressed willingness to continue working with Trump in the new year to steer the relationship through challenges toward steady progress, achieving more positive outcomes.

Noting that both sides have their own concerns, Xi said China is committed to honoring its word and delivering on its commitments. As long as both countries move toward each other in a spirit of equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, solutions can be found to address respective concerns, he said.

Xi pointed out that both countries face major agendas this year, with China starting the opening phase of its 15th Five-Year Plan and the United States marking the 250th anniversary of its founding. China and the United States will respectively host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit. He called on both sides to act on their shared understandings, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and build mutual trust step by step, expressing hope that 2026 would become a year of progress toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Xi emphasized that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China–U.S. relations. Taiwan is part of China's territory, he said, adding that China must safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow Taiwan to be separated. He urged the U.S. side to handle arms sales to Taiwan with great caution.

Trump said the United States and China are both great countries and that their relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. He said he has a strong relationship with President Xi and holds him in high regard. Under their leadership, the two countries have seen positive interactions in areas including trade and the economy.

Trump said he welcomes China's success and that the U.S. is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to advance bilateral relations. He added that he values China's concerns on the Taiwan question and is willing to maintain communication, expressing hope to keep China–U.S. relations sound and stable during his term in office.