China confirms Xi-Trump summit that was delayed by Iran war

Beijing officially announced the date of US leader Donald Trump's state visit this week, publicly green-lighting the first US presidential trip to China in nearly a decade despite tensions over the Iran war.



Mr Trump, who last visited China in 2017, will meet his counterpart Xi Jinping in a much-anticipated summit that has already been rescheduled once owing to the war. The White House had said the summit will be held from May 14 to 15.



China's state news agency Xinhua, citing a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said on May 11: "At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Donald Trump of the United States of America will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to 15.".



Mr Xi's government had been wary about proceeding with the visit until the conflict – now in its third month – is settled, people familiar with the matter said earlier.



China never announced or commented on the dates of Mr Trump's previously delayed visit in April, following its usual practice of announcing plans for its top leaders only days ahead for security reasons.