Xi warns Trump over Taiwan in Beijing talks

Chinese president Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that Taiwan could push China and the United States into conflict if Washington handles the issue badly.

Xi made the warning after a two-hour meeting with Trump in Beijing, where the two leaders discussed trade, technology and Iran.

He said Taiwan was the most important issue in US-China relations. If handled well, he said, ties could remain stable. If handled badly, the two countries could “collide” and even enter conflict.

Trump struck a warmer tone, calling his relationship with Xi “fantastic” and saying he had great respect for China’s leader.

Xi said the world was watching the meeting and urged the two powers to be partners, not rivals.