Senior Chinese, U.S. officials agree Xi-Trump meeting significant for bilateral ties

Senior Chinese and U.S. officials agreed on Sunday that the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump matters greatly to the development of China-U.S. relations.

In a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said the coming meeting between the two leaders is currently a top priority for bilateral ties, and bears great significance to the development of China-U.S. relations in the new era, as well as to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole.

China hopes that the two sides will meet each other halfway and continue making joint efforts to ensure the meeting a success, Yang said.

Tillerson said Trump is looking forward to receiving Xi at Mar-a-Lago residence in the U.S. state of Florida.

He also said that the upcoming meeting between the two heads of state is of great importance to the future development of bilateral ties, adding that the U.S. side will exert all efforts to prepare for the meeting and is willing to work with the Chinese side to make sure that the meeting can produce positive results.

At the invitation of Trump, Xi will meet the U.S. president on April 6-7. It will be their first meeting since Trump took office in January.Endi