New Delhi: President Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday night that he will honor the “One China” policy that recognizes Beijing as the only legitimate Chinese government.
The two leaders spoke by phone Thursday night, the White House said in a release, their first phone conversation since Trump’s inauguration.
“The two leaders discussed numerous topics and President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our ‘one China’ policy,” the release said.
“Representatives of the United States and China will engage in discussions and negotiations on various issues of mutual interest.”
Trump accepted a call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen after his election, breaking with the long-standing protocol. He later told the Wall Street Journal that “Everything is under negotiation, including ‘One China.’
“The White House described the Thursday call as “lengthy” and “extremely cordial,” and said both men had extended invites to visit their respective countries. The release came shortly after the publication of a New York Times report that described China as “stung” by Trump’s call with Taiwan. Officials told the Times that Xi would not agree to speak with Trump until after his public acknowledgment of the policy, which in effect cuts off official governmental ties with Taiwan, officially named the Republic of China. China — officially the People’s Republic of China — considers Taiwan to be a breakaway region.
The policy was put in place under President Jimmy Carter, and he was the last president to speak with a Taiwanese leader.The call comes one day before Trump is set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington, after which they will play golf at Trump’s Palm Beach resort.
