CGTN First Voice Commentary: Xi–Trump Phone Call Reinforces Post-War Order and Warns Against Rising Militarism

CGTN’s First Voice column framed the November 24 phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump as both symbolically powerful and strategically essential, especially following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan—remarks Beijing views as provocative and historically inaccurate.

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1. Phone Call as a Clarification on Taiwan

According to the commentary:

• President Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China is a legally established part of the post-World War II international order.

• CGTN highlights the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Proclamation (1945), which stipulated that Japan must return territories it seized—including Taiwan and Penghu—to China.

• These arrangements, the commentary argues, form the historical and legal foundation of the one-China principle recognized by most countries, including the U.S.

• Xi’s call with Trump is portrayed as a defense of this post-war settlement and a rejection of attempts—such as Takaichi’s comments—to “distort history” or undermine sovereignty.

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2. Trump’s Words Seen as a Positive Signal

CGTN places significant weight on Trump’s acknowledgment that:

• China played a “big part” in World War II victory.

• The U.S. “understands the importance” of the Taiwan question to China.

The commentary interprets these statements as:

• A recognition that mishandling Taiwan risks destabilizing China–U.S. relations and the broader Asia-Pacific.

• A reaffirmation that stability across the Taiwan Strait is central to global peace.

CGTN argues that when the Taiwan issue is managed with restraint, both China and the U.S. benefit; when mishandled, it invites tension and potential confrontation.

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3. Broader Warning: The Danger of Resurgent Militarism

Beyond the bilateral dynamic, First Voice frames Takaichi’s remarks as part of a deeper concern:

• A “resurgent militaristic mindset” in Japan.

• A reminder of early-20th-century expansionism that caused devastation across Asia.

• A challenge to the post-WWII norms of sovereignty, non-aggression, and peaceful dispute resolution.

The commentary calls for global vigilance, stating that:

• Any attempt to rewrite wartime history or challenge post-war borders threatens international peace.

• Protecting the post-WWII order is not about taking sides with China but about safeguarding global stability, economic growth, and collective security.

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4. Xi–Trump Meeting in Busan Highlighted

CGTN also references Xi’s recent arrival in Busan for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and his bilateral meeting with Trump on October 30, portraying ongoing China–U.S. engagement as essential for regional stability.

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Conclusion

First Voice positions the Xi–Trump call as:

• A reaffirmation of the legal foundations of the international order.

• A rejection of statements seen as revisionist or militaristic.

• A reminder that protecting the post-WWII system is crucial not just for China or the U.S., but for all nations committed to peace.