Interview with Chinese state councilor on President Xi's upcoming U.S. visit (I)

In a recent interview with China Daily, published on Friday, State Councilor Yang Jiechi looked ahead to President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States later this month and attendance at a series of UN gatherings as the global body marks its 70th anniversary.

The following comes the major content of the interview:

Q: This will be the first state visit to the United States by President Xi Jinping since he took office. What will be the major issues topping his agenda?

A: First of all, let me say that the China-U.S. relationship has, on the whole, gained sound momentum of growth, and the two presidents have stayed in frequent contact with each other, either through meetings or by correspondence. There has been a host of practical cooperation between the two sides on global issues, like climate change. ' So against this background, President Xi Jinping will make his state visit to the United States later this month at the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama. I believe that this is a very important visit, because both countries are very important, China being the largest developing country and the United States being the largest developed one. Both are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

There are a host of areas where China and the United States can, and should, cooperate with each other to promote peace, stability and development in various regions and in the world.

Q: How is the upcoming visit by President Xi different or special from the previous one in Sunnylands, California, in 2013?

A: This is a state visit, so by every sense it's very important and comprehensive, covering all major aspects of the China-U.S. relationship. Following up on their very substantive and productive discussions at Sunnylands, California, and in Yingtai, Beijing, the two presidents will have in-depth discussions this time.

First of all, I believe that they will further chart the course of the China-U.S. relationship, particularly the new model of major country relationship. And then there will also be a lot of discussion on practical cooperation. I believe that substantive results will come out of that. The two countries will also do a lot for the Asia-Pacific region and for the world as a whole.

By the way, I believe the president will reach out to a cross-section of the American society to get in touch with people from various walks of life and build up more bonds, friendships and understanding between the two countries.

So the visit itself is important for both countries, but I think for the rest of the world as well.

Q: Do you think China and the United States will be able to reach consensus on how the major power relationship will be advanced in the correct direction?

A: At Sunnylands, you know, the two presidents agreed to build a new model of major country relationship between the two countries. In China and the United States, this goal has been reaffirmed by the two presidents thereafter.

And if we look back on what has been achieved, we can call it "a real early harvest." Our trade has been on the way up. In 2014, two-way trade was worth about 550 billion U.S. dollars, and the cumulative investment both ways amounts to about 120 billion dollars. There are many, many visits crossing the Pacific.

Internationally, from Afghanistan to the Korean Peninsula, the two countries have worked in coordination with other countries for peace, stability and development. Particularly, I would like to point out that last year there was the joint announcement by China and the United States on addressing climate change.

Military ties between the two countries have been further built. There is a new visa arrangement between the two countries that actually facilitates visits by business people and students.

All this shows that a new model of major country relationship between our two countries will work in the best interest of China and the United States, and for the rest of the world. What is important is really to adhere to the principle of avoiding conflict and confrontation, respecting each other's core interests and major concerns, and pursuing win-win solutions.

This state visit is a good opportunity for the two countries to enhance their strategic trust, to deepen their cooperation and to properly manage the differences between them. And this will be in the best interest of the world as a whole.

Q: 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. China and the United States were allies during the war against Japanese aggression. Also, President Xi Jinping will address the General Assembly to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. Can you brief us on the highlights of his keynote speech?

A: First of all, I would like to say that you are absolutely right that China and the United States were allies during the Second World War against Japanese aggression, and we will never forget this friendship between the two countries. After the war, the United Nations was established. China, the United States and other countries have been working within the framework of the international system, and China itself has been contributing to the building of the international system. China is both a contributor and builder of this system.

We believe that the UN, being the most authoritative and representative intergovernmental organization, should play an even bigger role in maintaining world peace and promoting development. And that's exactly the expectation of people around the world.

This year happens to be the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN, and I would like to tell you that the president himself will go to a series of UN summits after his visit to the United States. His presence there will be a concrete example to show our commitment and support for the UN system.

The president, of course, will address the general debate of the United Nations and he will expound on China's positions on the global political landscape and world order. And he will also attend the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Summit. China and other countries contributed to the drafting of the document. The president and other leaders will witness the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

China has also taken some initiatives on its own. The president and Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations, will co-host a summit on women's empowerment and a roundtable discussion for South-South cooperation. The president, of course, will make some very important speeches to show our further cooperation with the rest of the world on these two major issues, and will also propose some very important action on our part as well.

So this will be a very important visit and the first appearance of President Xi Jinping at UN headquarters as the president of the People's Republic of China.

Q: Both countries want to promote their business relationship. Can you brief us on progress between the two countries on economic cooperation and trade?

A: First of all, please allow me to say a few words about the international economic landscape and China's economy. I believe that the reality is the lack of demand in the world, and the performance of major economies and their policies vary from country to country. The recovery of the global economy after the outbreak of the financial crisis several years ago has not been as robust as people had expected.

Nevertheless, China has been doing its best. Let me say that we will continue the structural reform of our economy so as to promote economic activities in China to raise people's living standards and continue with urbanization. We also encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in China. Like any other country, China has its own share of challenges and problems on the economic front.

But I must say that the fundamentals of China's economy are fine and any objective observer in the world will notice that. Many people have expressed their confidence in the Chinese economy.

Of course, this economy has many facets, and one of them is foreign trade and investment from overseas. I must say the China-U.S. economic relationship has been the bedrock of the progress that we have made. I still believe that the business community in the United States is very much interested in the Chinese economy, and they see a growing and expanding Chinese economy and there will be more and more opportunities for them-not only on the eastern shore, but also in the hinterland of China as well.

Of course, for our part, we will do our best to improve the investment and trade environment in China to further our efforts in improving IPR protection. I think there is a good chance for people to make more progress in business ties with China. Why? Because this is an innovative society.

Apart from traditional trade, we are talking a lot about trade not only in goods but in services as well. And we have seen a rise in Chinese investment in the United States. Jobs are created in the United States as well. This kind of interaction between the two business communities will serve the best interests of our two peoples.

On the macro side, they are the two largest economies in the world. They should coordinate and consult more with each other. (mo