US-China ties back on track - at least on the surface

THE telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Feb 9 moved the two countries back from the edge of a precipice.

Mr Trump had announced that he might reject the "One China policy", which all American administrations had accepted since the 1970s, unless Beijing made trade concessions. China made it clear that this basic policy was not up for negotiation. The policy means Washington recognises Beijing as the sole legal government of China and acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China.

According to a White House statement, during the conversation, "President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our 'One China' policy".