China's Xi to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago retreat

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet his US counterpart, Donald Trump, for the first time on April 6-7 at the real estate mogul's Florida retreat.

Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet his US counterpart, Donald Trump, for the first time. (AAP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to the US to meet President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on April 6-7, China's foreign ministry says.

It will be Xi's first in-person meeting with Trump and comes as the two sides face pressing issues, ranging from North Korea and the South China Sea to trade disputes.

Ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the announcement at a daily news briefing on Thursday.

The summit will follow a string of other recent US-China meetings and conversations aimed at mending ties after strong criticism of China by Trump during his election campaign.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ended a trip to Asia this month in Beijing, agreeing to work together with China on North Korea and stressing Trump's desire to enhance understanding.
China has been irritated at being repeatedly told by Washington to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and by the US decision to base an advanced missile defence system in South Korea.

Beijing is also deeply suspicious of US intentions towards self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

During his campaign, Trump accused China of unfair trade policies, criticised its island-building in the South China Sea and accused it of doing too little to constrain North Korea.

Trump also incensed Beijing in December by taking a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and saying the US did not have to stick to the so-called "one China" policy.

He later agreed to honour the long-standing policy and has written to Xi since seeking "constructive ties".

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Source: AAP


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