US president had suggested his trip could be put on hold if Beijing fails to help secure the strait of Hormuz
China has said it is in communication with the US regarding Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing, despite hints from the US president that he might delay the trip if Beijing does not help to unblock the strait of Hormuz.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations. The two sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China.”
The comments came after Trump suggested the highly anticipated trip to Beijing later this month could be suspended if China did not respond to the US’s request for help from third countries in securing the strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for international trade that has been disrupted by the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Trump is due to travel to Beijing between 31 March and 2 April, where he will meet Xi Jinping, China’s president.
