Xi outlines ‘6 priorities’ in building new type of relationship with US

FOLLOWING an intense two days of talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama unveiled an array of agreements on climate change, military cooperation and trade as they sought to overcome tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Xi 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 Obama. “I will make joint efforts with President Obama,” he said. “I would like to keep in 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. Xi and Obama met at the Great Hall of the People, following a red-carpet ceremony to welcome the US president yesterday morning. Obama arrived in Beijing on Monday for the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting and a state visit at Xi’s invitation. Ending his first visit to China in six years, Obama said he and Xi have reached a “common understanding on how the relationship between our countries should move forward.” “Where we have disagreements, we will be candid about our intentions, and we will work to narrow those differences where possible,” Obama said before leaving for Myanmar, his second stop on a three-country trip through the region. Both Xi and Obama heralded a joint commitment to cut greenhouse gases. They also announced an agreement to have their militaries give each other more guidance about their activities in the Pacific. In addition, the two leaders touted a breakthrough in trade talks to reduce tariffs on high-tech goods, as well as a deal to extend the lengths of visas to US and Chinese citizens. Obama yesterday congratulated Xi and the 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. On Tuesday evening, the two heads of state held a meeting at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in downtown Beijing after the APEC meeting. At the meeting, Xi proposed “a new type of military relations” that suits the new type of major-country relationship between China and the US Xi said the defense departments of the two countries have signed agreements to establish a mutual reporting mechanism on major military operations and a code of safe conduct on naval and air military encounter between the two sides. The two militaries should deepen exchanges, mutual trust and cooperation based on these agreements, he said. China would like to make progress in the exchanges between senior officers of the two armed forces, smooth communication mechanism and conduct more joint trainings and drills with the US side. Xi also welcomed the US to take part in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund initiated by China.