China and US Hold Strategic Phone Talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held the first head-of-state phone conversation of the new year on Wednesday, outlining detailed diplomatic agendas for 2026 including China's 15th Five-Year Plan, the US 250th anniversary, China hosting APEC and the US hosting the G20. The leaders discussed Taiwan — with Xi reaffirming sovereignty and cautioning on US arms sales — and observers said tangible US actions are needed to sustain bilateral stabilization.