BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping took a phone call from US President Joe Biden on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
The two presidents wished each other good fortune in the Year of the Ox, and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and major international and regional issues.
Biden conveyed festive greetings to the Chinese people and wished the Chinese people a happy and prosperous New Year. Xi congratulated Biden once again on taking office as US president, and wished the people of China and the United States a happy and auspicious Year of the Ox.
Xi pointed out that the restoration and growth of China-US relations has been the most important development in international relations over the past half century and more.
Despite various twists and difficulties, he added, the relationship has kept moving forward and delivered enormous benefits to the Chinese and American peoples and contributed to global peace and prosperity.
Xi stressed that China and the United States both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontations.
When China and the United States work together, they can accomplish a great deal of good for both countries and the world at large. Confrontation between the two countries, however, will be disastrous for both countries and the world, he added.
Emphasising that the China-US relationship is currently at an important juncture, Xi said it is the common desire of both peoples and the wider international community to see a stable development of China-US relations.
“You have said America can be defined in one word: Possibilities. We hope the possibilities will now point towards an improvement of China-US relations, ” Xi said to Biden.
The two countries, he suggested, should make joint efforts in the same direction, follow the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, manage their differences, and work for the sound and stable development of China-U.S. relations.
In this way, they can deliver more tangible benefits to people in both countries, and make their due contribution to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting world economic recovery and maintaining regional peace and stability, Xi added.
Xi emphasised that while the two sides may differ on some issues, it is crucial to show mutual respect, treat each other as equals, and properly manage and handle the differences in a constructive fashion. — Xinhua
