China says ‘thorough preparations’ needed ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with the United States, despite differences on issues such as the conflict in Iran and trade tariffs. In a press conference in Beijing, Wang highlighted the need for thorough preparations for a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The high-level exchanges between the two countries have been instrumental in improving and advancing the China-U.S. relationship, according to Wang. Both leaders have expressed intentions to visit each other’s countries, with Trump scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2. However, the exact dates of the visit have yet to be confirmed by Beijing.

Amid concerns about the timing of the visit, especially in the aftermath of joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Wang reiterated China’s calls for a ceasefire in the Iran conflict. He stressed the importance of avoiding conflict and working towards peaceful resolutions.

In his efforts to address the escalating tensions, Wang has engaged in phone calls with foreign ministers from countries involved in the Iran conflict, including Russia, Iran, and Israel. These discussions are part of China’s broader diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

The discussions between China and the U.S. come at a time when the two countries have reached a tentative agreement to lower tariffs on each other’s goods, following a period of heightened trade tensions. Wang cautioned against the dangers of erecting tariff barriers and pushing for economic and technological decoupling, emphasizing the importance of multipolarity in global leadership.

As the world watches closely for developments in the China-U.S. relationship, Wang’s diplomatic efforts and calls for peaceful resolutions serve as a reminder of the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges. The upcoming meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump will be a crucial opportunity to strengthen ties and find common ground on key issues affecting both countries and the international community.