President Xi urges China, U.S. to deepen mutual trust, cooperation in Asia-Pacific affairs

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday attended the joint opening ceremony of the eighth China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and the seventh China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Beijing.

Addressing the joint opening ceremony, Xi said all countries share intertwined interests against the backdrop of world multi-polarization, economic globalization and social informatization.

Thus, China and the United States should strengthen their mutual trust by regular communication in order to avoid strategic misjudgment, he said.

He urged both countries to strengthen coordination on their macroeconomic polices, jointly strive for achieving positive outcomes at the G20 Hangzhou summit with all parties concerned, and reach a reciprocal bilateral investment treaty at an early date.

China and the United States should also deepen cooperation in the areas of climate change, development, Internet, nonproliferation, military and law enforcement, and enhance communication and coordination on major global and regional issues, Xi added.

President Xi called for deepening communication and cooperation in Asia-Pacific affairs between China and the United States.The Pacific Ocean should not become an arena for rivalry, but a platform for inclusive cooperation, Xi said at the joint opening ceremony.

China and the United States have extensive common interests in the region and should maintain frequent dialogues, cooperate more, tackle challenges, and jointly maintain prosperity and stability in the region, rather than "cultivate exclusive circles of friends," Xi said.

He reaffirmed that China pursues neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and has always been committed to bolstering peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region.

The S&ED is co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Monday and Tuesday, while Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong co-chairs the CPE with Kerry.

(APD)