Trump Claims Xi Jinping Promises Not To Invasion Taiwan As Long As He Serves

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump believes Chinese President Xi Jinping will not invade Taiwan during Trump's tenure.

"I'll tell you, you know, you have something very similar to President Xi from China and Taiwan, but I don't think that's going to happen as long as I'm here. We'll see," Trump said in an interview at Fox News' "Special Report".

"He told me, 'I will never do it as long as you are president.' President Xi said that to me, and I said, 'Okay, I appreciate that.' But he also said, 'But I'm very patient, and China is very patient.'," Trump said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed phone calls regarding Trump's second presidential term in June.

Trump also said in April Xi had called but did not specify when the phone call would take place.

China regards Taiwan as its own territory and has pledged to "reunicate" with the democratic and separate island, with violence if necessary.

Meanwhile, Taiwan strongly opposes China's claim to sovereignty.

Although Washington is Taiwan's main arms supplier and international supporter, the US - like most countries - has no formal diplomatic relations with the island.