Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed on keeping good relations between the two countries as they met for the first time face to face for an eagerly-anticipated summit in Florida on Thursday.
Xi told Trump there are "a thousand reasons" to improve bilateral ties and "not a single reason" to hurt them, Chinese officials said. Trump meanwhile told journalists that he and Xi "have developed a friendship".
"I think long term we're going to have a very, very great relationship and I look very much forward to it," the US president said ahead of a dinner with the Chinese leader at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Xi Jinping speaking with Trump's grandchildren who are learning Mandarin. /Xinhua Photo
Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived in the US on Thursday for a first meeting with Trump since he took office in January.
The meeting was closely watched for clues about the future relationship between the world’s two biggest economies. During his election campaign and since taking office, Trump has repeatedly slammed China over its currency and over trade.
Speaking in Florida however, Xi said it has been 45 years since China normalized ties with the US and the relationship had brought great benefits to the people of both countries.
Xinhua Photo
China and the US should keep in touch in areas like trade, infrastructure and energy, Xi went on.
On international and regional matters, the two countries should also have more discussions and try to keep the world a peace, stable and prosperous place, he said.
The US president said he hoped to establish good working relations with Xi and said both countries had great responsibilities as major world powers, according to Chinese officials.
Trump also accepted an invitation by Xi to visit China later this year.
The two leaders were expected to have more detailed discussions about trade and foreign policy issues on Friday, concluding their summit with a working lunch.
Related stories:
1393km
