Trump, Xi Agree Iran Can Never Have Nuclear Weapon

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed Thursday that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open”, the White House said, as the two leaders met in Beijing.

“The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy,” the White House said.

US President Trump and Chinese leader Xi held a “good” meeting, the White House said, in a readout that did not include any reference to Taiwan.

“President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China. The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation,” the White House said in a statement.

It made no mention of discussions on self-ruled Taiwan that Xi earlier said could cause a “conflict” between China and the United States should the issue be mishandled.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that China is the “sole risk” to regional peace and stability, after Xi warned his US counterpart that the issue of Taiwan could lead to conflict.

“The Beijing authorities are currently the sole risk to regional peace and stability,” the ministry said in a statement, highlighting China’s “military harassment” and grey-zone activities around Taiwan and the region as evidence, and adding that “Beijing has no right to make any claims on behalf of Taiwan internationally.” (AFP)