Trump tells Xi will respect ‘One China’ policy: White House

WASHINGTON AFP Feb10, 2017-President Donald Trump on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping he would respect the “One China” policy, the White House said, in their first conversation since the US leader came to power.   

 “President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our ‘One China’ policy,” the White House said in a statement, adding that the two leaders had “extended invitations to meet in their respective countries.” In a swift response, Xi embraced the announcement on the highly sensitive issue which had cast a pall over relations after Trump suggested it was up for negotiation.   

 “Xi Jinping appreciates Trump’s emphasis on the American government’s commitment to the One China policy and pointed out that the One China principle is the political foundation of US-China relations,” official broadcaster CCTV reported.   

The White House called the phone discussion -- which came on the eve of Trump’s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe -- “extremely cordial,” saying the leaders “look forward to further talks with very successful outcomes.” The billionaire president had seemed intent on adopting a hard line against the Asian giant on a wide range of issues from trade to security.