ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing on May 14 and 15 for a high-level summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House said Wednesday.

"President Trump's long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15th," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The visit was postponed amid escalating hostilities between the US and Iran. The White House had previously said Trump would travel to China for a three-day visit starting March 31.

Leavitt said ending the war was not a precondition for rescheduling the meeting, explaining that Xi had understood that Trump has to be "here throughout these combat operations" and accepted the request for a postponement.

Trump confirmed the rescheduled visit on his social media platform Truth Social, saying he looked "very much forward" to what he called "a monumental event." He added that representatives from both sides are "finalizing preparations for these historic visits."

Leavitt added that Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host the Chinese leader and his wife in Washington on a later date this year.