Trump pledges to honor 'One China' in call with Xi

NEW YORK

President Donald Trump affirmed support for the U.S.'s 'One China' policy in a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping late Thursday, the White House said in a statement.

It was the first time the two leaders have spoken since Trump took office last month.

"President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our 'one China' policy," the statement said, referring to Washington’s long-time recognition of Taiwan as part of China.

Trump and Xi look forward to additional talks with "very successful outcomes” following the "extremely cordial" call.

Earlier Thursday, Trump sent a letter to Xi that thanked him for his congratulatory message after Trump's swearing-in last month.

Trump has since received calls from numerous world leaders, and he hosted U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, but China had remained silent until Thursday.

As president-elect, Trump drew China's ire in December when he accepted a call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, breaking with U.S. diplomatic tradition by becoming the first president since 1979 to speak with a Taiwanese leader.

He then went on record and said everything was negotiable regarding China, including the One China policy.

Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry responded by saying it was "nonnegotiable".

Taiwan is officially called “the Republic of China” and held China’s seat at the UN until when the People’s Republic of China took it over through a resolution.

The most populous country outside UN membership, Taiwan continued to claim to represent all of China until a constitutional amendment in 1991.