Trump praises President Xi as 'highly respected'

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US President Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "highly respected and powerful representative of his people" on Friday, as he concluded a "successful and historic" three-day visit in China.

"My meetings with President Xi Jinping were very productive on both trade and the subject of North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea)," the US president wrote on Twitter before flying to Vietnam for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

"He is a highly respected and powerful representative of his people. It was great being with him and Madame Peng Liyuan!" Trump said, referring to Xi's wife.

First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the president during the rest of the Asia tour and is staying in Beijing to see pandas and visit the Great Wall.

"Melania is staying behind to see the zoo, and of course, the Great WALL of China before going to Alaska to greet our AMAZING troops," Trump tweeted.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R2) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R1), and US President Donald Trump (L2) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of Taihedian, or the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during their visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing, November 8, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

During Trump's Beijing visit, the two leaders discussed the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral trade relations, reaching a broad consensus on the development of China-US ties.

Both Xi and Trump will attend the 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang and are scheduled to deliver remarks at the APEC CEO Summit.