Donald Trump holds first phone talks with China's Xi Jinping in 4 years
China's Vice President Han Zheng will attend Trump's Inauguration Monday amid signs of diplomatic progress.
By
Content Director
Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in phone talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Friday, according to Chinese state media reports.
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) confirmed the conversation took place "on the evening of January 17," though additional details about the discussion were not immediately provided.
The call comes as Beijing announced earlier in the day that Xi would dispatch Vice President Han Zheng to represent China at Trump's inauguration next week.
"We are ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with the new U.S. government, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations," CCTV said.
"China has always viewed and developed China-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation."
During his first term, Trump took a hardline stance against China, launching a protracted trade war that imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese imports and reshaped economic relations between the world's two largest economies.
The phone call marks a notable moment of engagement between the two leaders.
More to follow.