Xi urges 'mutual solution' to China-US trade issues

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Mutually beneficial and win-win relations are the nature of economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.

"Economic teams of the two countries should strengthen contact and conduct consultations on issues of mutual concern in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution to China-US economic and trade issues," Xi added.

During the conversation, Trump said he values good relationship with the Chinese president and looks forward to meeting Xi during the upcoming G20 summit, scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The US attaches great importance to its economic and trade cooperation with China and is willing to continue to expand its exports to China, Trump noted. He expressed his support for American companies participating in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) which is scheduled to be held from November 5-10 in Shanghai.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 9, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi told Trump that he also values good relations with the US president and is willing to meet him at the G20 summit.

"Both of us hold good expectations on sound and steady development in China-US relations and expanding economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," Xi said to his US counterpart. "We should strive to turn the expectations into reality."

Xi noted that mutually beneficial and win-win relations are the nature of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Some differences in economic and trade areas have emerged between Beijing and Washington over a period of time, bringing adverse impact to some Chinese and American industries as well as global trade, he said, adding that this is against China's wishes.

"China is going to hold the first CIIE, which shows China's great willingness to increase imports and further deepen opening up," Xi stressed.

The Chinese president called for a "mutually acceptable solution" to the economic and trade issues between Beijing and Washington.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Hailing the "positive changes" this year, Xi said China appreciates the historic meeting between Trump and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un in June, noting that the summit has promoted the process of denuclearization on the Peninsula and a political solution to the issue.

China hopes Washington and Pyongyang can address each other's concerns and further facilitate denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Peninsula, Xi told Trump. China will continue to play a constructive role, Xi added.

Trump said the US highly values China's important role in the Korean Peninsula issue and is willing to continue to enhance communication and coordination with China.

"Just had a long and very good conversation with President Xi Jinping of China," the US president tweeted after the phone call. "We talked about many subjects, with a heavy emphasis on trade. Those discussions are moving along nicely with meetings being scheduled at the G20 in Argentina. Also had good discussion on North Korea (the DPRK)!"