US, Iran should return to dialogue to end war, Xi tells Trump at White House

During a closed-door meeting at the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged the US and Iran to return to dialogue to end their war.

China has “always believed that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be respected” and has played a constructive role in easing tensions, Xi told US President Donald Trump, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

It has “encouraged relevant parties to stay committed to peaceful solutions and maintain the momentum of talks,” he said.

He expressed China’s support for the US and Iran returning to the framework deal they agreed to in June and voiced hope that both sides ultimately reach a comprehensive agreement covering the nuclear issue and other matters and achieve peace as soon as possible.

After the US and Israel launched the war against Iran on Feb. 28, Pakistan helped secure a ceasefire on April 8 and later hosted more than 20 hours of talks between American and Iranian officials in Islamabad.

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Following weeks of mediation, Pakistan and Qatar helped secure the June 18 deal, which provided the two sides with a framework and 60 days to negotiate a longer-term agreement aimed at ending the war.

However, the two sides soon resumed retaliatory strikes, with tensions continuing.

Xi also urged the US to “adhere to the correct position of opposing ‘Taiwan independence’” and handle the Taiwan question prudently to lay a solid foundation for bilateral strategic cooperation and relations.

Beijing’s position on safeguarding its national unity and territorial integrity is “crystal clear,” he said.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taipei has maintained its self-rule since 1949.

Xi also said that building a constructive China-US relationship based on strategic stability is not an expedient measure nor something that can be achieved overnight, additionally calling for translating the new vision of a constructive bilateral relationship of strategic stability into action.

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