Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with the designated US President Donald Trump on Friday, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua. The transition team of the designated US President confirmed the phone call.
The two leaders agreed to establish a strategic communication channel for regular contacts on important issues, reported the Chinese Central Television. They also discussed the Ukraine and the Middle East, according to consistent reports.
Trump described his telephone conversation with Xi Jinping as “very good for China and the US.” The designated US President said he had discussed a range of topics with Xi, including trade and the situation surrounding TikTok.
Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that Chinese Vice President Han Zheng would attend the inauguration of the US President, following an invitation from Trump. According to records kept by the US Department of State since 1874, the head of a Chinese government had never attended the inauguration of a US President before.
In November, the Chinese President stated at a meeting with the incumbent US President Joe Biden that China was ready to work with the new administration. Beijing remains determined to maintain “healthy and stable” relations with Washington, emphasized Xi Jinping.
Trump’s previous term was marked by a “trade war” with Beijing. Biden has continued and even intensified this, issuing threats and imposing tariffs on the import of steel, aluminum, and Chinese electric vehicles.