Xi, Trump Discuss Thorny Issues --- Beijing will send its vice president to the inauguration, vows cooperative efforts

"Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President-elect Donald Trump vowed to engage closely on major issues in a rare phone call ahead of next week's inauguration, where Beijing will be represented by its vice president.

In a social-media post, Trump said the pair discussed trade, fentanyl, TikTok and other subjects. "It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately," Trump wrote.

He provided no details of what was said, though he added, "President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe." Trump, who has warned of new tariffs, hinted at his concern about China's surplus by referring to "balancing trade."

It appears to be the first time the two spoke directly since Trump left office after his first term in 2021. Xi had previously congratulated Trump on his election win, and Trump has said to interviewers that the two have been in communication through representatives.

China's readout of the call, published by state media, said the pair agreed to establish a strategic communication channel to maintain regular contact on major issues. It said Xi expressed hope that despite inevitable differences between the U.S. and China, the two countries can develop their common interests and exploit areas of cooperation, saying they can even become partners and friends.

Xi also reminded Trump to handle the issue of Taiwan "with prudence," calling it a concern of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, state media said. China's leader added that the basis of trade is to produce win-win results. "Confrontation and conflict should not be an option for the two countries," Xi said, according to state media.

The only other specific issues mentioned in China's readout were unspecified exchanges related to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"Leader-to-leader calls like these are important," Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said.

He contrasted the early outreach between the leaders with China's approach with Biden. "Xi largely ignored Biden," he said. "Regular communication is critical for advancing U.S. interests while ensuring clarity in competition," Singleton said.

The call took place early Friday, hours before the Supreme Court ruled to uphold a law that could force TikTok out of the U.S. on Sunday. China's account didn't mention TikTok, and Trump didn't elaborate on how the app was discussed.

Earlier Friday, Beijing said Vice President Han Zheng would represent China at Monday's inauguration as Xi's special representative, after Trump took the step of inviting Xi himself to attend.

China's government, in announcing Xi's plan to send an envoy, said that in its relationship with the U.S. it follows the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation in viewing and growing bilateral ties.

Han, a former member of the Communist Party's top decision-making body, stands to be the most senior delegate that China has sent to a swearing-in of an American president. Washington has typically invited ambassadors and other lower-level dignitaries to such ceremonies, but Trump broke with precedent by inviting Xi this time.

"We are willing to work with the new U.S. government to strengthen dialogue and communication," to properly manage differences and expand cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to state media.

Beijing is likely to follow up on Han's trip by looking to arrange high-level meetings with the Trump administration, such as discussions between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his American counterparts, said Dylan Loh, an assistant professor at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University who studies China's foreign policy." [1]

1.  U.S. News: Xi, Trump Discuss Thorny Issues --- Beijing will send its vice president to the inauguration, vows cooperative efforts. Chun Han Wong; Areddy, James T.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 18 Jan 2025: A7.