China-US Relations Are More Than Just a Slogan, Says Wang Yi
Beijing (ANTARA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has affirmed that stable China-US relations are not just a slogan, but must be realised through concrete actions following the meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
“A constructive, strategic, and stable China-US relationship is not just a slogan, but must be a goal that both sides uphold and realise through joint actions,” Wang Yi said in a written statement published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday evening (15/5).
The two leaders held a bilateral meeting for two hours and 15 minutes on Thursday. The meeting was followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.
On Friday, Trump also received a private tour of Zhongnanhai, the complex that houses the offices and official residence of Xi Jinping and other senior officials of the Communist Party of China.
“We must follow the direction set by the two heads of state, continue to enrich the meaning of this new position, translate it into concrete policies and actions, and jointly open a new chapter in China-US relations,” Wang Yi said.
A number of American business leaders accompanied Trump on the visit. Trump also specifically invited business leaders to attend the location of the meeting between the two heads of state.
According to Wang Yi, President Xi encouraged American business leaders to strengthen cooperation with China and affirmed that China’s economic openness will continue to be expanded.
“They generally expressed great appreciation for the Chinese market, expressed their desire to deepen business in China, and continue to strengthen cooperation with China,” Wang Yi said, adding that this showed that China remains an important destination for US corporate investment.
He added that Xi also encouraged a China-US youth exchange program by inviting 50,000 American teenagers to come to China in the next five years to study and participate in cultural exchanges.
“This initiative has received a warm response and active participation from various sectors in both countries,” Wang Yi said.
Trump also reportedly welcomed Chinese students to study in the United States.
According to Wang Yi, improving people-to-people relations is a consensus of the two heads of state and also the hope of the people of both countries.
“China will, as before, continue to promote and support this, strengthen the social foundation of relations between the two countries, and write more stories of friendship between the Chinese and American people,” he said.
Wang Yi added that China-US relations are related to the well-being of more than 1.7 billion people in both countries and have an impact on the international community.
“China is willing to work with the United States to implement the important consensus reached in the meeting between the two heads of state,” he said.