Trump praises Xi: 'Now some people might call him the king'

川普讚習近平：現在有人會稱他中國國王

Trump tweets that he congratulated Xi on his 'extraordinary elevation'

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- President Donald Trump called Chinese President Xi Jinping to congratulate him on being selected to serve a second term as party general secretary as well as having his name and dogma included in the party's constitution.

A rubber stamp congress consisting of 2,300 delegates obediently voted to include a reference to "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," at the meeting's closing on Tuesday. This is only the second time in China's history since the time of Mao that a leader has received a reference in the constitution while still in power.

Xi also selected a new crop of old leaders for Politburo Standing Committee, all of whom will be too old to continue to serve as leaders at the next party congress in five years. This leaves no clear heir apparent to take the reins after his five-year term is over, thus potentially setting the stage for him to lead after 2022, and well beyond.

In response, Trump lavished praise on Xi's "extraordinary elevation" on his Twitter account. He also mentioned discussing North Korea and trade, obvious incentives form him to try the carrot approach of praising China's leader, in stark contrast to his anti-China rhetoric on the campaign trail and early Tweets after calling Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen to offer congratulations on her win in December of last year.

Spoke to President Xi of China to congratulate him on his extraordinary elevation. Also discussed NoKo & trade, two very important subjects!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 2017年10月25日


After the phone call, Trump continued to heap praise on his Chines counterpart during an interview with Lou Dobbs on the Fox Business Network saying Xi's inclusion in the constitution is something that had "really virtually never happened in China." Trump went on use glowing terms to describe the autocratic leader, "He's a powerful man. I happen to think he's a very good person."

Trump explained to Dobbs why he considers his relationship with Xi particularly special, "People say we have the best relationship of any president-president, because he's called president also."

Trump then went on to try and educate viewers about Xi's status in China, "Now some people might call him the king of China. But he's called president."