File photo: Chinese President XiJinping (R) meets with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump to discuss bilateral ties and global hot-spot issues on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit, in Hamburg,Germany, July 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump discussed Trump's visit to China later this year and the Korean Peninsula situation over phone late Monday.
In the phone conversation, Xi said China and the United States share extensive common interests and have seen sound momentum of exchanges and cooperation in various areas at present.
The Chinese president said that he is happy to maintain communications with Trump on a regular basis over topics of mutual concern.
He also said that Beijing attaches great importance to Trump's state visit to China, and called on both sides to work closely so as to ensure a fruitful trip and inject new impetus into the development of China-U.S. relations.
The two sides need to strengthen high-level contacts and contacts at all levels, well operate the first round of China-U.S. social and cultural dialogue, as well as law enforcement and cyber security dialogue, and extend bilateral cooperation in all fields, Xi noted.
For his part, Trump said he is looking forward to paying the state visit to China, hoping that the trip can strongly move bilateral ties further forward.
It is satisfactory for the U.S. and Chinese heads of state to maintain close contacts and a fine working relationship, Trump said.
This year, both the United States and China have important domestic agendas, the U.S. president noted, expressing the hope that these agendas will all be smoothly carried out.
In the phone conversation, Xi also expressed sympathy and solicitude to Trump and the American people for the hurricane attacks on the United States over the past few days, and Trump expressed thanks therefor.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.
It is notable that this is the second phone conversation between the two heads of state within less than two weeks. The previous talk came on Sept. 6, when the two leaders talked about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
During their previous phone conversation, Xi said China has been adamant in preserving international nuclear non-proliferation regime, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and resolving the nuclear issue through talks.
The Chinese president said the general direction should head toward a peaceful settlement of the issue, adding that dialogue combined with a set of comprehensive measures is best for seeking a long-term solution.
Trump responded that Washington has been deeply concerned over the ongoing situation on the Korean Peninsula, and attaches importance to China's essential role in resolving the issue.
He pledged to step up communication with the Chinese side in a bid to find a solution as early as possible.
On Sept. 3, the DPRK undertook the sixth nuclear test by detonating a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile. On Sept. 15, it launched a balllistic missile flying over northern Japan and then fell into the Pacific Ocean.
The DPRK's actions have been widely condemned by the international community and organizations, including the United Nations Security Council. (Updated)
