Beijing: China on Tuesday urged the US for the "sound" development of bilateral ties after Washington reportedly denied permission for the Taiwanese leader's New York stopover. "China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region. Firmly opposes any trip by leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Trump administration denied permission for William Lai Ching-te to stop in New York on his way to Central America next month. Lai had planned to transit through the US in August en route to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize, which recognize Taiwan as a country. However, the US reportedly informed Lai that he could not visit New York, as detailed by the Financial Times on Monday, citing three people familiar with the decision.

Despite these reports, Lai's office has denied any "postponement, cancellation" of the Taiwanese leader's trip. Office spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei told reporters in Taipei that there was no denial of permission for the transit by the US side.

China's Guo emphasized the importance of the US adhering to the one China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. He called on Washington to "jointly work" with Beijing to "promote the sound, steady, and sustainable development of China-US ties."

When asked about US President Donald Trump's statement that he was not seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Guo referred to the readouts released by the Chinese side. Trump stated on Tuesday that while he is not actively seeking a meeting with Xi, he might consider visiting China if invited by the Chinese president. "The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a 'Summit' with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!" Trump posted on Truth Social. He added that he may go to China only at President Xi's invitation, which has been extended.

Earlier reports indicated that aides to both leaders have discussed the possibility of a summit during a trip to Asia by the US president later this year.