Xi talks with Obama, pledges commitment to new-type of major-country relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov 12, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Wednesday outlined six priorities in building a new type of major-country relationship with the United States.

"China would like to work with the US to implement the principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect, cooperation and common prosperity and make the new type of major-country relations between the two countries produce more benefits to people in the two countries and the world," Xi told his US counterpart Barack Obama at a meeting in Beijing.

"I will make joint efforts with President Obama," he said. "I would like to keep close touch with him."

The six priorities in China's diplomacy with the US include the communication between high-level officials, mutual respect, cooperation in all aspects, management of disputes, collaboration in the Asia-Pacific and joint actions on global challenges, according to Xi:

-- China and the US should improve exchanges and communication between high-level officials in a bid to improve strategic trust. The two sides should give bilateral dialogue mechanisms a better play, such as the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

-- The two countries should respect each other's sovereign and territorial integrity as well as political system and development path, instead of imposing one's will and model on the other, which is the important condition and foundation for the two countries to have a healthy, stable and sustainable relationship.

-- They should deepen cooperation in all aspects including trade, military, counterterrorism, law enforcement, energy, health and infrastructure. The cooperation should involve governments, parliaments, media, think tanks and young people.

-- The two sides should manage disputes and sensitive issues in a constructive manner. As it is inevitable to have differences, they should always resort to dialogues and consultation and do not act against each other's core interests.

-- They should improve collaboration in the Asia-Pacific, having positive interactions, encouraging inclusive diplomacy and work for the regional peace, stability and prosperity.

-- They should jointly respond to regional and global challenges. China is willing to work with the US on regional hotspots such as the Iran nuclear issue, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan as well as global issues like counterterrorism, climate change and epidemic control.

Indepth Talks

Xi and Obama met at the Great Hall of the People, following a red-carpet ceremony to welcome the US president on Wednesday morning.

Obama arrived in Beijing Monday to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to China at Xi's invitation.

Obama congratulated Xi and people of China for "hosting a successful APEC summit" and expressed his gratitude for Xi's "outstanding hospitality in the state visit".

Saying this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-US relations, Xi said bilateral ties now stand at a new starting point.

"Facing the current complicated and changing international situation, China and the United States should and will be able to cooperate in more areas," Xi said.

Obama said the trade ties and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have surged over the past 35 years.

"We have shown that when we cooperate, United States and China can make important contributions to security and prosperity in the region and around the world," Obama said.

Xi reviewed his meeting with Obama at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California in June 2013, where they reached a consensus on building a new type of China-US relations.

The two countries have since then made "positive progress" in bilateral coordination and cooperation in various areas, Xi said, citing the facts that last year bilateral trade volume soared to 520 billion US dollars, outstanding amount of two-way investment stood at 100 billion US dollars and more than 4 million trips were made between the two nations.

China and the United States have worked together in tackling climate change, combating the Ebola epidemic and fighting terrorism, Xi said.

Facts have proved a new type of major-country relations between China and the United States serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and helps maintain peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and Pacific and the world, Xi said.

Obama said he and Xi discussed "our priorities and our vision for the US-China relationship" Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

"I believe our two nations have enormous stake in each other's success," Obama said, adding the United States welcomes a peaceful, prosperous and stable China.

Obama said he and Xi "engage in an honest and constructive dialogue around those differences and ensure we can manage them in a peaceful and effective way."

Obama said his discussion with Xi will help ensure bilateral relationship "continue to deliver results" for China, for the United States and for the world.

On Tuesday evening, the two heads of state held a meeting at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in downtown Beijing after the APEC meeting.