Xi, Kissinger stress importance of boosting China-US ties

China and the United States should strengthen communication over strategic issues to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment, President Xi Jinping said Friday when meeting with Henry Kissinger, the former US secretary of state, in Beijing.

The China-US relationship is now at a critical juncture and facing some difficulties and challenges, Xi said, stressing the importance of enhancing mutual understanding.

He said that the two sides should act in the fundamental interests of people in both countries as well as the world, respect each other, seek common ground and achieve win-win results through cooperation so as to push forward bilateral ties to develop in the right direction.

Xi recalled that Kissinger, with profound historical vision and deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture, had worked together with the then leaders of China and the US to promote the normalization of relations between two countries with different national conditions.

The move still has important impact on the two countries and the whole world, he said.

The president also praised Kissinger's sincere feelings and active efforts in promoting the development of relations between the two great countries over the years, saying that his significant contribution will be written into history.

Xi wished Kissinger good health and a long life and hoped that he will continue to be the promoter of and contributor to the China-US relationship.

Kissinger, the 96-year-old veteran diplomat, said he was honored to have visited China almost a hundred times over the past 50 years and witnessed the country's earth-shaking transformations.

The US-China relationship has kept moving forward despite ups and downs over the past five decades, he said, and now this relationship has become even more important as times have changed.

The two sides should strengthen strategic communication and endeavor to find a solution to appropriately solve disputes and continue to carry out exchanges and cooperation in all areas, Kissinger said, noting that this is of great significance for both countries and the world.