ISTANBUL

Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump on Monday that the return of Taiwan to China is an important part of the post-war international order, Chinese state media reported.

Xi told his US counterpart in a phone call that Beijing and Washington should jointly safeguard the victorious outcomes of World War II, Xi said, Xinhua reported.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers on Nov. 7 that any Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally amount to a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially allowing Japan to “exercise the right of collective self-defense.”

Her remarks triggered massive backlash from Beijing, with China advising against travel to Japan, reimposing a ban on imports of seafood, among other restrictive measures.

Taiwan remains a central flashpoint in US-China relations. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province, while Taipei has insisted on independence since 1949.

The US supports Taiwan's defense under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances governing policy toward the island.

During the phone call, Xi and Trump also discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Xi emphasized China's support for all efforts toward peace. He expressed hope that all parties will continue to reduce their disagreements and reach a peace agreement as soon as possible.

A 28-point US plan to end the over 3 1/2-year-old Moscow-Kyiv war is on the table in Geneva, where representatives of Washington, Kyiv, and European capitals met to discuss details.

The call came weeks after Xi and Trump held a summit on Oct. 30 in Busan, South Korea, where the two sides agreed to a one-year trade and tariff agreement.

There has been no immediate readout from the US side about the call.