Xi and Tillerson look towards ‘new era’ in US-China relations

Asia-Pacific, News, US March 19, 2017 , by IRIA No Comments

Tillerson meets Xi Jinping, says Trump looking forward ‘to enhancing understanding’

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson both said on Sunday that China and the US could have a “cooperative” relationship.

The United States’ top diplomat brushed aside months of tensions between Beijing and Washington over North Korea, trade and Taiwan when he met with Mr Xi at the end of an Asia tour, speaking of “greater understanding” between the two countries

President Xi said he and US President Donald Trump had reached consensus and understanding to enhance exchanges, and that he believed cooperation between the US and China was “the only correct option”.

“We both believe that China-US cooperation henceforth is the direction we are both striving for. We are both expecting a new era for constructive development,” he said.

Xi told Tillerson that there are far more shared interests between the two countries than disputes, emphasizing the need for more communication and coordination on matters involving “regional hotspots,” respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and protect the broad stability of ties, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Tillerson replied that Trump places a “very high value on the communications that have already occurred” between Xi and Trump.

“He looks forward to enhancing that understanding in the opportunity for a visit in the future,” Tillerson said.

Before arriving in China, Tillerson had stops in Japan and South Korea, where he announced that Washington’s policy of “strategic patience” with Pyongyang was over, and that military action was “on the table.”

Xi told Tillerson that “We should properly handle and manage sensitive issues to promote the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relationship from a new start.”

Earrlier, Tillerson and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed in talks to work towards denuclearizing the North, but they did not provide further details on how they would go about it.