China confirms Xi Jinping and Donald Trump have been in touch since US election
The news came a day after Trump told American conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in an interview on Monday that he and Xi had already been talking through representatives and expected that they “will probably get along very well”.
When asked about those statements on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that Beijing “attaches importance” to Trump’s comments.
“China and the US have maintained communication through various means,” he said.
“China stands ready to work with the US under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to advance the stable, healthy and sustainable growth of China-US relations for the benefit of the two countries and the world.”
It was not the first time Trump indicated he was in contact with the Chinese leader after recapturing the White House in November.