In times of US-China tension, Chinese leaders tend to rebuff calls from their American counterparts. Xi choosing to speak to Trump stands out.

Politicians said the call between the two leaders, which focused on trade, had ‘made us very anxious’ about the implications for the island.

China sought to depict a call between Xi Jinping and President Trump as an appeal from one strongman leader to another to run a tight ship and stay on course.

Detente between US and Chinese leaders could complicate many Asian countries’ calculations for striking a balance between the superpowers.

In times of US-China tension, Chinese leaders tend to rebuff calls from their American counterparts. Xi choosing to speak to Trump stands out.