Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st R) meets with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama (1st L) on the sidelines of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C., the United States, March 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, agreed Thursday to deepen China-U.S. cooperation in various fields while controlling differences in a bid to consolidate and expand their countries' common interests.[Special coverage]
The latest sign of a closer relationship between Beijing and Washington came as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), discussing an array of issues ranging from macroeconomic policies and nuclear security cooperation, to maritime issues and Korean Peninsula stability.
CHINA-U.S. RELATIONS
In their first meeting this year, Xi and Obama agreed to strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs and to push for the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.
Xi said that with the concerted efforts of China and the United States, the bilateral relations have seen important progress in recent years.
In 2015, the China-U.S. bilateral trade, two-way investment and personnel exchanges all hit a record high. The two countries have maintained effective coordination and cooperation in addressing major regional and international issues including climate change, Iranian nuclear negotiation, peacekeeping, public health and development.
"These outcomes have demonstrated the huge potential of the China-U.S. relations and highlighted the importance and necessity for them to strengthen coordination and cooperation," Xi said.
Xi reiterated China's commitment to reform and opening-up and peaceful development, stressing his country's resolution to safeguard and improve the current international system and order.
There are broad areas where China and the United States, the world's largest developing and developed countries, should and could cooperate, Xi said.
"Our common interests are much bigger than our differences," the Chinese president said. "Through cooperation, we can score many major accomplishments that will benefit both the two countries and the world at large."
Xi noted that on the basis of respecting each other's core interests and major concern, the two sides should actively seek solution to disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation, and control sensitive issues in a constructive manner to avoid misunderstanding, miscalculation and escalation of conflicts.
"China stands ready to step up communication with the United States, focus on cooperation, control differences and enhance mutual trust in a bid to build a new model of major-country relationship featuring no confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," Xi added.
Commenting on the sluggish recovery of world economy and financial market turmoils, the Chinese president said that no country should stimulate exports via competitive devaluation of its currency.
China became the biggest trading partner of the United States last year, with the trade volume at nearly 560 billion U.S. dollars.
Regarding the coming G20 Summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou this year, Xi said that he hopes the United States can continue its support.
The Chinese president also stressed that his country and the United States should enhance their cooperation in a host of areas, including nuclear security and climate change and continue to make the cyber-security issue a bright spot in the bilateral cooperation.
