China, US exchange views ahead of Obama's visit

BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues Saturday ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to China.

Their discussions mainly focused on the two countries' preparations for Obama's visit early next month, when the president will also attend the informal leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Beijing.

China is willing to work with the United States to make proper preparations for the visit so that it can yield positive results, Yang told Kerry in the U.S. city of Boston.

CHINA-U.S. TIES

On the relations between China and the U.S., Yang saluted "new and positive progress" that has been made in various aspects of bilateral ties since last year's summit held by Obama and President Xi at the Annenberg Estate in California, where the two leaders reached important consensus on a new model of major-country relations featuring non-conflict and non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The senior Chinese official said China welcomes Obama's visit and is willing to work with the U.S. side to make sure that the upcoming Xi-Obama summit will achieve positive results, so as to further push forward the construction of the new model of major-country relations.

China and the U.S. should strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual strategic trust, deepen cooperation and properly handle differences, Yang said.

He added that in order to ensure the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. ties and make positive efforts together to maintain regional and world peace, stability and development, both sides need to turn the principles of seeking a relationship based on non-conflict and non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation into practical actions.

At the same time, he said, China and the U.S. also need to strengthen mutual communication and coordination to make sure that the upcoming APEC summit will achieve expected results in advancing the process of regional integration.

Yang called on the two countries to increase mutual cooperation in Asia-Pacific affairs and promote regional stability and prosperity.

For his part, Kerry said there are many areas in which the U.S. and China can cooperate in the future.

The U.S. is willing to work with China to enhance communication, dialogue and cooperation despite their differences and divergences, thus enriching the content of building a new model of major-country relations, he said.

The top U.S. diplomat said Obama attaches great importance to his China visit, and hopes to take advantage of this important opportunity to discuss with Xi the ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. And the U.S. side is willing to coordinate with China to make the upcoming APEC summit a success.

DISCUSSIONS ON HOT ISSUES

During their talks, Yang and Kerry also exchanged views on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as other regional and international hot issues of common concern, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

The state councilor reiterated China's "clear, determined and consistent position" that realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability, and resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation "are in the common interest of all related parties, including China and the United States," Qin said after the talks.

Yang said China hopes that all relevant parties will continue making efforts in the same direction and seize the opportunity to ease the tense situation on the peninsula, so as to pave the way for reviving the stalled six-party talks.

On the Iranian nuclear talks, he said it will benefit all related parties if the issue is properly resolved.

Noting that the talks have entered a crucial stage, Yang urged all parties involved to give a full play to their wisdom and creativity by seeking common ground while setting aside differences in order to reach as early as possible a fair, balanced and win-win agreement, which will take care of each other's concerns, through equal consultations.

On the issue of counterterrorism, he said China is firmly against all forms of terrorism and is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with the international community including the United States in the area of fighting terrorism.

At the same time, Yang stressed that China has been consistent in its position that fighting terrorism should be based on the United Nations Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, respect for national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a comprehensive strategy that will tackle the roots of terrorism.

On cooperation in fighting the Ebola epidemic, he noted that the deadly virus, which continues to spread in West Africa, has become a threat to the public health and requires concerted efforts by the international community.

China and the United States have their respective advantages in fighting Ebola, he said, adding that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the U.S. as well as the international community to help affected African countries.

The Chinese government has been closely following the development of the epidemic, and has provided assistance to affected African countries and relative international organizations, Yang noted.

China will continue to support and provide assistance to West Africa in its fight against Ebola, in accordance with the development of the epidemic and the need of the affected countries.