Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged Washington to handle arms sales to Taiwan with "prudence," stating that Beijing will not permit the island to be "separated" from China.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, Xi expressed his intent to "steer the giant ship of China-US relations steadily forward through winds and storms" in collaboration with Trump, aspiring to "accomplish more big things and good things," as conveyed by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on the US social media platform X.

Xi emphasized progress through mutual trust, aiming for 2026 to be a year of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted the importance of both sides working together, guided by "equality, respect, and mutual benefit," to address each other's concerns.

Beijing and Washington should adhere to "the common understandings we have reached, enhance dialogue and communication, manage differences properly, and expand practical cooperation," Xi remarked. He further stressed that Taiwan remains the "most important issue in China-US relations."

Xi reiterated China's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, affirming that Taiwan's separation from China would not be tolerated. He urged the US to "handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence," following the recent approval of a significant arms sale to Taipei worth over $11 billion.

The phone call marked the first conversation between the two leaders since Xi's virtual discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day. While China and Russia have strengthened their ties, boasting a trade volume of approximately $200 billion last year, Beijing and Washington have seen a stabilization in their relations following a meeting between Xi and Trump in South Korea late last year.