BUSAN, South Korea – Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and the United States should ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations.
During a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, the Chinese president said since Trump's reelection, they have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and stayed in close contact.
Under their joint guidance, China-US relations have remained stable on the whole, said Xi.
A few days ago, in the latest round of consultation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the economic and trade teams of the two countries reached a basic consensus on addressing respective major concerns, which provided the necessary conditions for Thursday’s meeting, he said.
Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi said.
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"You and I are at the helm of China-US relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves, and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations."
President Xi said China and the US are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together.
“China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs.”
China's development does not contradict the vision of "Making America Great Again" proposed by President Trump, he said.
The Chinese president said he is ready to continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.
China and the US should work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of their two countries and the whole world, he said.
Noting that President Trump is very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues, Xi said China has also been promoting peace talks to resolve various hotspot issues.
As the world today is confronted with many tough problems, China and the US can jointly shoulder their responsibility as major countries, he added.
For his part, Trump termed Xi as a great leader of a great country and said he has a great relationship with him.
Saying that he and President Xi will agree to some more things, the US president said he and Xi will have fantastic relationship for long period of time.
Xi landed in Busan on Thursday morning to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju and pay a state visit to South Korea at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung.
Upon arriving at Busan's Gimhae International Airport, Xi was warmly welcomed by senior South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
A 21-gun salute was fired at the airport.
Xi's entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, and He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier.
