Xi presses Trump on Taiwan amid spat with Japan

Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed US President Donald Trump on the status of the self-governing island of Taiwan and urged his counterpart to maintain improved ties, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

- Bloomberg

Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping

(REUTERS)

Xi told Trump that the return of Taiwan to China is a key part of the post-World War Tlinternational order, according toa statement on the call.

The leaders also spoke about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Xi expressed hope for the two sides to reach a binding peace agreement, the ministry said.

An ongoing row between Japan and China centered around Taiwan threatens to inject fresh tensions into the Trump-Xi relationship and complicate ties, after the world’s two largest economies reached a trade truce in October.