Chinese President: Beijing and Washington bear a "historic responsibility to advance human progress"
Washington, Sept. 24 (KUNA) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and the United States, as two major and advanced nations, bear a "historic responsibility to promote human progress," emphasizing that many of the world's problems are difficult to solve without cooperation between Beijing and Washington.
In a speech delivered during his reception by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Xi expressed his readiness to cooperate in steering the "giant ship" of China-U.S. relations toward a stable future, describing China and the United States as "great nations" with "great peoples."
The Chinese President added, "We must enhance communication," noting that "candid, in-depth, and sustained dialogue will strengthen mutual understanding and trust."
He also stressed that his visit to Washington aims to continue friendship, expand cooperation, and enhance the well-being of both peoples, considering the interests of China and the United States to be "deeply intertwined" and that there is "broad room for joint action."
He affirmed that although cooperation between the two countries "may not solve all the world's problems," it is difficult to resolve many of those problems without it.
Xi Jinping stated, "China and the United States are different, but we must communicate," explaining that "through candid, in-depth, and sustained dialogue, our two countries can better understand each other and build mutual trust."
Regarding leadership in the field of artificial intelligence, the Chinese President said that both countries have the "capacity and responsibility" to manage this technology in a way that ensures "the development of artificial intelligence remains under human control and serves the well-being of peoples."
On the business front, he affirmed that China keeps its doors "wide open and welcomes American companies wishing to do business and invest in China," calling on the United States to treat Chinese companies in the same manner.
In this context, Xi Jinping said, "We hope that Chinese companies will receive fair treatment here in the United States."
He noted that Beijing is ready for commercial cooperation with Washington, pointing out that competition between the two countries should be "healthy," describing it as a race to catch up with each other rather than a "confrontation" to determine a winner and a loser.
In the context of enhancing cooperation and friendship between the two countries and their peoples, the Chinese President announced that he had extended an invitation to 100,000 American students to visit China under student exchange programs over the next five years.
Xi Jinping said that achieving the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" and "making America great again" can proceed side by side.
He added, "Let us meet the aspirations of our peoples, demonstrate our historic initiative, continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two peoples, and work together to build a better world."
President Trump had held a rare formal reception ceremony for his Chinese counterpart upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, at the start of a state visit to the U.S. capital, Washington.
The last official visit by the Chinese President to the United States was in September 2015, when he visited Seattle, Washington, and New York, and met then-President Barack Obama.
In recent media statements, Trump affirmed the "good relationship" he shares with his Chinese counterpart and expressed his belief that the meeting "will be very good" and will involve "concluding many different deals."
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