US President Donald Trump has said China has agreed to order 200 Boeing jets and pledged not to supply military equipment to Iran.
Speaking to Fox News after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump said President Xi wished to see an agreement reached between Washington and Tehran and had offered assistance in securing a deal.
Trump said Xi assured him that China would not provide military hardware to Iran, terming the commitment as a significant step forward.
The US president also said China wanted the Strait of Hormuz to remain open for international shipping, adding that Beijing purchases large quantities of oil from the region.
“He said they buy a great deal of their oil there and wish to continue doing so,” Trump said: “President Xi wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.”
Trump said Xi opposed taxes or restrictions on shipping through the strategic waterway. Chinese authorities did not immediately comment on the remarks.
Trump invites Xi Jinping to White House on September 24
Separately, Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the White House on September 24.
According to reports, President Trump is currently in Beijing on an important visit to China. During the visit, he invited President Xi Jinping and the Chinese First Lady to visit the United States.
Earlier, President Donald Trump held an important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall in Beijing. The two leaders exchanged a handshake before talks commenced.
Speaking on the occasion, President Xi Jinping said China and the United States should become partners rather than rivals. He also welcomed the American delegation to China.
President Xi said the Taiwan issue remained the most important matter in China-US relations. He warned that failure to handle the matter properly could lead to tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Addressing a ceremony in Beijing, President Donald Trump said it was a very good day and described the Chinese president as a close friend.
During delegation-level talks with President Xi Jinping, President Trump said relations between the two countries had always remained positive. He added that whenever difficulties arose, both sides worked together to resolve them swiftly.
