US President breaks ice with Chinese counterpart in letter seeking 'constructive' ties
The two presidents have not talked since Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2017.
President Donald Trump.
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It said that the two presidents have not spoken directly since Trump took office.
According to a statement from the White house, “the letter thanked Xi for his congratulatory note on Trump’s inauguration.
“It also wished the Chinese people a prosperous Lunar New Year of the Rooster.
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“President Trump stated that he looks forward to working with President Xi to develop a constructive relationship that benefits both the United States and China,” it said.
China also said that it attached great importance to China-U.S. ties.
“We highly appreciate President Trump’s holiday greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a press briefing.
Asked whether it was a snub that Trump had held calls with many other world leaders as president, but not Xi, Lu said: “This kind of remark is meaningless.”
He reiterated that China and the U.S. had maintained “close communication” since Trump took office and that cooperation was the “only correct choice”.
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“China is willing to work with the U.S. in adhering to the principles of non-confrontation, mutual respect and mutual benefit to promote cooperation, control disputes.
“Also on a healthy and stable foundation, promote greater development in China-U.S. ties,” Lu said.
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