China hopes Xi-Trump meeting to direct ties in new era

China hopes the upcoming meeting between President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump will set the direction for the development of the bilateral relationship, an official said on Friday.

"It will be the first meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States since the new U.S. administration took office," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang told a press briefing on the meeting.

On April 6-7, Xi will meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, the United States.

"As the international situation continues undergoing profound and complicated changes, the meeting will be of great significance to chart China-U.S. relationship in a new era, advance the development of the bilateral ties in a healthy and stable way from a new starting point, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the Pacific and the world at large," said the Chinese official.

According to Zheng, Xi will hold talks with Trump, during which they will exchange views in an in-depth way on China-U.S. ties and major international and regional affairs of common concern with a view of enhancing mutual understanding and expanding bilateral cooperation.

President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will attend a welcome banquet hosted by President Trump and his wife Melania, according to Zheng.

Zheng said the Chinese and U.S. presidents have reached important consensus through phone conversations and letters over the past months.

"They both believe that China and the United States can absolutely be very good partners," Zheng said, adding that the two countries should uphold the principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation in advancing their ties.

Zheng said the Chinese and U.S. sides are making final preparations for the presidents' meeting to make it a complete success. Endi