On 16/3, President Donald Trump informed the media at the White House that he had requested a one-month postponement for his upcoming visit to China. "I very much want to go, but due to the war situation, I want to stay here. I feel I must be here," he stated. He added, "It's very simple. We are at war. I think it's important for me to stay here, so perhaps we will postpone it a bit, but not for long." Trump emphasized that he maintains a "very good relationship" with China and that the delay was not a tactical maneuver. "There are no tricks here, it's not like 'I'm waiting for something'," he clarified.

Chinese officials have not yet commented on the proposed delay. The White House had previously announced in February that President Trump was expected to visit China from 31/3 to 2/4 for talks with President Xi Jinping. This would have marked Trump's first trip to Beijing since his last visit during his first term in 2017.

President Donald Trump at the White House on 16/3. *Photo: AP*

On 15/3, Trump had also indicated that the decision to delay his meeting with President Xi could depend on China's support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is currently blocking the crucial waterway in retaliation for a campaign launched by the US and Israel against the country at the end of February.

Meanwhile, both the US and China announced on 16/3 that a meeting between their respective delegations in Paris, France, last weekend was "sincere and constructive." This meeting was intended to lay the groundwork for the leaders' summit.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian underscored the importance of such high-level engagements, stating, "Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations." President Xi is also scheduled to visit the US later this year, though specific dates have not been disclosed. His most recent visit to the US was in 2023.

By Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)