Xi Jinping-Trump Agrees On China-US Relations Starting Early

JAKARTA Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President-elect Donald Trump agreed to start relations between the two countries from an early point ahead of Trump's inauguration.

This was one of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump's talks on Friday (17/1) night by phone call. In a written statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated Trump was the party who called Xi.

"President Xi expressed his readiness to secure greater progress in China-US relations from a new starting point," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a written statement received by Antara in Beijing, Saturday, January 18.

President Xi also congratulated Trump on Trump's re-electing as US President. President Xi noted that both of them attach great importance to their interactions and both hope that China-US relations will begin well during the new US presidential term.

"President Xi stressed that as two major countries, China and the US are both pursuing their respective dreams, and both are committed to providing a better life for their people," the statement said.

Given the great common interest and wide cooperation space between the two countries, China and the US can become partners and friends, contribute to each other's success, and advance mutual prosperity for the good of both countries and the rest of the world.

President Xi also said it was reasonable if two large countries with different national conditions had several differences of opinion.

"The important thing is to respect each other's main interests, and find the right solution, for example, about Taiwan being China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the US needs to approach it carefully," Xi said.

As for bilateral economic relations, basically China-US relations can be mutually beneficial.

"Confrontation and conflict should not be an option for the two countries. Both countries must follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, mutually beneficial cooperation, closer cooperation, doing more big, practical, and good things that benefit both countries and the world," Xi said.

President Xi also emphasized that the two countries should take care of each other so that the two giant Chinese and US ships continue to sail forward along healthy and sustainable development routes.

Meanwhile, Trump in the written statement expressed his gratitude to President Xi for his congratulations and said he appreciated his good relationship with President Xi.

Trump also hopes they will continue to talk to each other, and hopes to meet with President Xi soon.

"As the most important country in the world, the US and China must establish good relations for years and beyond and work together for world peace," Trump said.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and various other major international and regional issues that are of common interest.

President Xi and Trump also agreed to establish strategic communication channels to continue to communicate periodically on key issues that are of common interest.

Meanwhile, Trump on his social media account @TrumpDailyPosts also conveyed the contents of his conversation with Xi Jinping.

"The phone call was very good for China and the US. My hope is that we will solve a lot of problems together, and start soon. We discuss trade balances, fentanyl, TikTok, and many other topics. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the world more peaceful and secure!" Trump said.

Regarding TikTok, Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order that could delay the enactment of the ban, providing time for potential sales or alternative solutions.

The move comes amid TikTok's near-in ban deadline on January 19, 2025 before the US Supreme Court ruled whether to ban the US use of TikTok if the social media owner, Chinese technology company ByteDance, did not sell part of its shares (divested) to parties outside China.

Trump himself will be sworn in as 47th President of the United States, on Monday (20/01). James David Vance will also take an oath of office as US vice president on the same day.