China, US in talks on meeting between presidents
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E-mail Xinhua, March 19, 2017
China and the United States are now in close communication on arrangements for a meeting between the two presidents and exchanges at other levels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Saturday.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2017. [Photo / Xinhua] |
It is Tillerson's first visit to China since he assumed office last month. He is also the first cabinet-level official in the new administration of the United States to visit China.
"We have in-depth discussions on arranging a recent meeting between two presidents and starting relevant preparations," Wang said, adding that the two sides agreed to keep close communication to ensure a successful meeting between the two presidents as well as exchanges at other levels in the next stage.
"Your visit marks a very important step to push forward that process," Wang told Tillerson.
China-U.S. ties are now transitioning and developing steadily along a positive direction, Wang said, calling for implementation of the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.
Wang said China is willing to work with the U.S. side on communication and cooperation, enhancing trust and properly handling differences to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties in the new phase along the right track so as to benefit the people of two countries and the world at large.
Wang called for more cooperation in foreign affairs, the economy and trade, the military, law enforcement, people-to-people exchanges and local communication.
The essence of China-U.S. trade relations is mutual benefit, said Wang, encouraging both countries to expand trade and investment cooperation and properly handle trade frictions.
He also called on the two countries to reinforce coordination on hotspot issues including the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, Afghanistan, Syria and maintain close communication under the multilateral framework such as the United Nations, the G20 and the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Wang also restated China's position on Taiwan and the South China Sea issues, emphasizing that China and the United States should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, discreetly deal with sensitive issues to protect bilateral ties from unnecessary influences.
Reviewing the achievements of bilateral ties, Tillerson said it is necessary for both countries to have closer cooperation and coordination in face with changing international situation.
Tillerson said the United States adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by their leaders and explore more cooperation in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
The United States would like to have more high-level exchanges with China, and more dialogue in diplomatic security, macroeconomic policy coordination, law enforcement, cyberspace and people-to-people exchanges.
Tillerson's visit aims to make "political preparations" for the meeting between two presidents, and both sides would make the best use of this chance to seek common ground, said Jia Xiudong, a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies.
He said the necessity of strengthening cooperation between China and the United States have been further strengthened since Trump took office.
"What Tillerson said on bilateral ties this afternoon sent positive signals," said Jia.
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