US President Donald Trump has affirmed support for Washington's long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "One China" during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping.

Trump angered Beijing in December by talking to the president of self-ruled Taiwan and saying the US did not necessarily have to stick to the policy, questioning a position held for nearly four decades.

"President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our 'one China' policy," the White House said in a statement following a lengthy phone conversation between the two leaders on Thursday night Washington DC time.

Trump and Xi look forward to additional talks with "very successful outcomes” following the "extremely cordial" call, the White House said.

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In a separate statement read out on Chinese state television, Xi welcomed Trump's move.

"I believe that the United States and China are cooperative partners, and through joint efforts we can push bilateral relations to a historic new high," the statement cited Xi as saying.

"The development of China and the United States absolutely can complement each other and advance together. Both sides absolutely can become very good cooperative partners."

The two leaders had not spoken by telephone since Trump took office on January 20.

Victor Gao, director of the China National Association of International Studies, described Trump's phone conversation with Xi as "a very encouraging development".

"It's a very important call and it reflects the fact that China-US relations are so important and the weight of the presidency is now felt on the shoulders of President Trump," he told Al Jazeera from Beijing.

"Both China and the US want to really engage with each other in peace and talk over whatever differences there may be."

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With the "One China" issue resolved, the two sides also signalled that they could have more normal relations.

China wants cooperation with the US on trade, investment, technology, energy and infrastructure, as well as strengthening coordination on international matters to jointly protect global peace and stability, Xi said.

"China is proactively dedicated to harmonious coexistence with all countries in the world," he added.

China has repeatedly said it has smooth contacts with the Trump team. The foreign ministry in Beijing said last week the two countries were remaining "in close touch".

The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, but is also Taiwan's biggest ally and arms supplier and is bound by legislation to help the island to defend itself.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

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Trump's campaign for the White House included frequently lashing out at China, which he accused of currency manipulation and stealing American jobs.

While relations were strained under ex-US President Barack Obama, there has been very little high-level interaction between the two countries since Trump came to power.



In a move seen by observers as an attempt to break the ice, the White House said earlier this week that Trump had sent a letter to Xi, weeks after receiving a letter of congratulations from his Chinese counterpart.