Xi advises the US to exercise caution when arming Taiwan.

During a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping referred to Taiwan as “the most important issue” in China-US ties.

According to official media, Xi advised Trump to be “prudent” when delivering weaponry to the island, adding that he placed “great importance” on ties with Washington and hoped that both sides would find a way to work out their differences. Trump referred to the call on Wednesday as “long and thorough” and “excellent”.

The call came after Western leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, visited China in a series of trips in recent months in an attempt to mend fences with the second-biggest economy in the world.During a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping referred to Taiwan as “the most important issue” in China-US ties.

In April, Trump is scheduled to travel to China, a trip he stated he “very much” anticipated.

He also mentioned that Beijing was thinking of increasing its purchase of US soybeans from the existing 12 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes.In addition to Taiwan and soybeans, the US president said, Trump and Xi talked about China’s purchase of US gas and oil, the current state of affairs in Iran, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

On Taiwan, Xi said the self-governed island was “China’s territory” and that Beijing “must safeguard [Taiwan’s] sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

“The United States must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” he warned.

China has not ruled out using force to “reunify” with Taiwan, as it has long pledged to do. The United States has been on a tight diplomatic line for decades and has formal ties with Beijing rather than Taiwan. However, it continues to be Taiwan’s most significant ally and source of armaments.

The Trump administration announced a massive military transfer to Taiwan in December that was estimated to be worth $11 billion (£8.2 billion) and contained a range of missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and sophisticated rocket launchers.

Beijing said at the time that this “attempt to support [Taiwan’s] independence” would only “accelerate the push towards a dangerous and violent situation across the Taiwan Strait”.”Just as the United States has its concerns, China for its part also has concerns,” Xi told Trump on Wednesday.

“If the two sides work in the same direction in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, we can surely find ways to address each other’s concerns.”On Thursday, Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te told reporters relations with the US remained “rock solid” and that “all ongoing co-operation projects are continuing”.