Trump and Xi Jinping hold phone call one month after 'Busan summit'

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Xi Jinping, President of China, on the 24th (Beijing local time) Donald Trump, President of the United States, had a telephone conversation and reportedly exchanged views on bilateral relations, Taiwan, and the Ukraine issue.

According to Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency, the U.S.-China leaders made direct contact by phone about a month after holding a summit in Busan on the 30th of last month.

Chairman Xi evaluated the earlier summit, saying, "Last month we successfully held a meeting in Busan, South Korea, reached many important agreements, and by adjusting and injecting momentum so that this great ship called U.S.-China relations moves forward steadily, we sent a positive signal to the world."

He added, "That cooperation between China and the United States benefits both (合則兩利) and that fighting leaves both injured (鬪則俱傷) is common sense repeatedly proven by practice, and mutual achievement and common prosperity between China and the U.S. are tangible realities," and emphasized, "The two countries should maintain this trend, adhere to the right direction, expand the list of cooperative items and reduce the list of problem items."

On the Taiwan issue, advancing China's principled position, Chairman Xi said, "The return of Taiwan to China is an important part of the postwar international order," and said, "China and the United States once stood shoulder to shoulder against fascism and militarism, and now should better safeguard the achievements of the victory in World War II."

Xinhua reported that President Trump said, "Chairman Xi is a great leader," and "I found the Busan meeting with Chairman Xi very pleasant and I fully agree with your views on bilateral relations."

Xinhua also reported that President Trump said, "The two countries are fully implementing the important agreements of the Busan meeting," and that "China played an important role in the victory of World War II and the United States understands the importance of the Taiwan issue to China."

Xinhua said the two leaders also discussed the Ukraine issue that day.

Chairman Xi said, "China supports all efforts that strive for peace," and "hopes each party will continuously narrow differences and that a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement will be concluded early to fundamentally resolve this crisis."

Han Kyung-woo Hankyung.com reporter case@hankyung.com