Xi-Trump phone call suggests ties are warming but the timing of a meeting is another thing
Despite an invitation from his American counterpart
Donald Trump , sources indicate that Chinese President
Xi Jinping will not travel to the United States in September for the UN General Assembly, which would be the earliest opportunity for such a trip.
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Instead, China will send Premier
Li Qiang to represent the country at the event in New York, according to several diplomatic sources.
The bilateral relationship seems to have improved following
a phone call between Xi and Trump on June 5. The US president later said he had received an invitation to visit China, which he then reciprocated.
02:09
China, US top negotiators agree on 'framework' that will need approval from Xi and Trump
China, US top negotiators agree on 'framework' that will need approval from Xi and Trump
'He invited me to China, and I invited him here. We both accepted, so I'll be going there with the first lady at a certain point, and he'll be coming here, hopefully with the first lady of China,' Trump told reporters that day.
Observers in Washington believe a visit would significantly stabilise one of the most critical bilateral relationships in the world. Such trips typically require months of preparation, making the United Nations General Assembly in September the most convenient opportunity.
It would be ideal for Xi to speak in person to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, an organisation China has staunchly supported. However, several diplomatic sources told the South China Morning Post this was unlikely.
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'The No. 2 will go to the UN,' said a source in Beijing who had been briefed on the arrangements, referring to the premier. Two other sources also told the Post that Li would attend on Xi's behalf.
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