Trump wishes to visit China, weighs India trip

US President-elect Donald Trump has told his advisers he wants to visit China and meet Chinese head of state Xi Jinping within 100 days of taking office for making the world “peaceful,” according to three CNN sources.

He has floated the idea of visiting several other countries including India, two of CNN sources said. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Trump telling advisers he wants to travel to China.

Trump has invited Xi to his 20 January inauguration. However, the Chinese leader has declined the invitation on the ground he never attends the swearing-in of foreign leaders.

Xi has deputed Vice-President Han Zheng to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony, the first time a senior Chinese official will be present at a US presidential inauguration. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would represent India at the inaugural.

Trump and Xi spoke by phone on Friday for the first time since the November election, discussing trade, fentanyl, TikTok and other subjects. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately,” Trump wrote on social media after the call. The Republican asserted that the call was “very good" for both countries.

“President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!" Trump said.

China’s official account of Friday’s phone call between Trump and Xi said the two leaders agreed to establish a strategic communication channel. It quoted Trump telling the Chinese leader that he was “looking forward to meeting with President Xi as soon as possible.”