**Historic Meeting Between Chinese and US Presidents**
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump paid a state visit to China from May 13 to 15. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi briefed the media on the meeting between the two leaders and the consensus they reached.
**Q: How do you evaluate the significance of President Trump’s visit to China?**
Wang Yi: During the visit, President Xi Jinping and President Trump had in-depth and strategic communication on major issues concerning China-US relations and world peace and development. They explored ways for the two major countries to get along and reached a series of consensus. As many media friends have pointed out, this was a historic meeting.
Firstly, this meeting was significant because it took place at a critical stage in the development of both countries. This year marks the beginning of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, and we are pushing forward with high-quality development and comprehensive modernization. The US is also celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence. At this critical juncture, the two leaders met in Beijing to discuss governance, China-US relations, and international and regional hotspots, sending an important message to the world that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the greatness of the US can be mutually beneficial and complementary.
Secondly, this meeting marked a new starting point for China-US relations. This was the second face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, following their meeting in Busan last October. It was also the first visit by a US President to China in nine years, continuing the good momentum of exchanges between the two leaders. At present, the world is at a crossroads, and the two leaders emphasized the need to work together to address global challenges and promote world peace and stability.
Thirdly, this meeting was significant because it produced rich results. The two leaders had formal talks, a welcoming banquet, and small-scale exchanges, spending nearly nine hours together. They agreed to establish a “China-US Constructive Strategic Stability Relationship” as the most important political consensus. They also agreed to strengthen exchanges in various fields, including diplomacy, military, economy, health, agriculture, tourism, culture, and law enforcement.
**Q: How do you understand the new concept of “China-US Constructive Strategic Stability Relationship”?**
Wang Yi: During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to establish a “China-US Constructive Strategic Stability Relationship” as the new orientation for China-US relations, providing strategic guidance for the next three years and beyond. We believe that this relationship should be characterized by cooperation, competition, and stability.
Cooperation should be the main theme, with both sides working together to address global challenges and promote world peace and stability. The two countries should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation.
Competition should be healthy and constructive, with both sides competing in a fair and rules-based manner. The goal of competition should be to improve oneself, not to undermine the other side.
Stability should be the foundation, with both sides working together to prevent conflicts and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
**Q: What consensus was reached on promoting high-level exchanges and exchanges in various fields?**
Wang Yi: The two leaders agreed to continue to promote high-level exchanges and exchanges in various fields, including diplomacy, military, economy, health, agriculture, tourism, culture, and law enforcement. They also agreed to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, including educational exchanges, cultural exchanges, and tourism exchanges.
**Q: How will the meeting promote people-to-people exchanges?**
Wang Yi: President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in promoting China-US relations. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges, including educational exchanges, cultural exchanges, and tourism exchanges.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen exchanges between young people, including educational exchanges and cultural exchanges. President Xi Jinping welcomed more American young people to visit China, and President Trump welcomed more Chinese students to study in the US.
**Q: What consensus was reached on the Taiwan issue?**
Wang Yi: The Taiwan issue was a major topic of discussion during the meeting. The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan issue is a domestic issue, and that the Chinese government is committed to achieving national reunification.
The US side acknowledged that the Taiwan issue is a sensitive issue, and that the US will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and the three joint communiques.
**Q: What consensus was reached on economic and trade issues?**
Wang Yi: The two leaders had in-depth discussions on economic and trade issues, and reached a series of consensus. They agreed to promote economic and trade cooperation, including the establishment of a trade council and an investment council.
They also agreed to address each other’s concerns on market access, and to promote the expansion of bilateral trade.
**Q: What consensus was reached on international and regional hotspots?**
Wang Yi: The two leaders had in-depth discussions on international and regional hotspots, including the Middle East and Ukraine.
On the Middle East, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and encouraged the US and Iran to continue negotiations.
On Ukraine, the two leaders agreed to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and to support the efforts of the international community to achieve a ceasefire and a peaceful settlement.
**Conclusion**
Wang Yi: The meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump was a historic meeting that marked a new starting point for China-US relations. The two leaders reached a series of consensus on major issues, including the establishment of a “China-US Constructive Strategic Stability Relationship”, the promotion of high-level exchanges and exchanges in various fields, and the addressing of international and regional hotspots.
We believe that this meeting will have a positive impact on China-US relations, and will promote world peace and stability.
