China and US should jointly safeguard victory of World War II: China Daily editorial

The telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on Monday came after the successful meeting between the two leaders in Busan, the Republic of Korea, which produced important common understandings. This set a constructive tone for their latest discussions on various issues of common concern.

During their talk, Xi emphasized the steady and positive trajectory of bilateral ties since that meeting and the importance of maintaining the momentum in relations that had been generated by their exchanges. He said that the two countries should lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems so as to make more positive progress, create new space for China-US cooperation and bring more benefits to the people of both countries and the world.

In a world rife with uncertainty, cooperation between the world's two largest economies is essential not only for the two countries themselves but also for the international community at large.

A central topic of their talk was the Taiwan question, with Xi outlining China's principled position on it and stressing that Taiwan's restoration to China constitutes an important part of the postwar international order.

As he pointed out, both nations have a responsibility to safeguard the outcomes of World War II. This is not merely political rhetoric; it is an imperative reality.

President Trump responded by expressing the US side's understanding of Taiwan's significance to China.

Their conversation also touched upon the Ukraine crisis, with Xi reiterating China's support for a peaceful resolution and emphasizing the need for all parties involved to engage in dialogue to achieve a lasting and binding peace agreement. This reaffirmed China's commitment to promoting stability, both regionally and globally, and highlighted the responsibility the two major powers have to act as stewards of peace.

The positive feedback from Trump about their exchange of views in Busan and the reaffirmation of their mutual objectives served to highlight the importance of head-of-state diplomacy, signaling to the world that the two largest economies are dedicated to resolving their differences.

The carefully considered messaging of their conversation also serves as a reminder of the importance of the postwar international order to nations that are seeking to challenge it, such as Japan under the current Sanae Takaichi government.

Following the recent remarks made by Takaichi regarding the Taiwan question, which touched China's red line, the telephone conversation between Xi and Trump has served to reinforce the postwar framework for peace and cooperation as sacrosanct to a rules-based international order.

Takaichi's provocative and dangerous moves pose threat not only to China's core interests but also to the justice upheld by the international community.

The telephone conversation between the two leaders reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the stability and improvement of China-US relations, and the fact that China and the US have key roles to play in upholding the international order and maintaining global stability.

Cooperation benefits both sides, confrontation harms both. The latest talk between the two leaders was a demonstration of their joint commitment to steadying and improving Sino-US relations on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, which is in line with the international community's expectations and serves the common interests of the world.

Their latest conversation thus sends a resounding message to the global community — constructive cooperation is possible in spite of differences, and the vision of a shared future rooted in mutual respect can be realized.

The continued constructive interaction between the top leaders of China and the US exemplifies the continued efforts of both sides to build a healthy and stable framework for China-US relations. Their displayed commitment to dialogue and partnership is not only a hopeful signal but also a necessary approach to forge a more cooperative global environment.

The dialogue between Xi and Trump is expected to provide new impetus for more productive engagement between the two sides. It should also prompt greater awareness that cooperation among nations based on mutual understanding is crucial for enduring peace and prosperity.