President Xi urges China, U.S. to manage differences, deepen trust

The joint opening ceremony of the eighth round of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogues and the seventh round of U.S.-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange is held in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, June 6 -- President Xi Jinping on Monday urged China and the United States to properly manage differences and sensitive issues and deepen strategic mutual trust and cooperation at a high-level bilateral dialogue.

The differences between China and the United States are normal, Xi said at the joint opening ceremony of the eighth round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues (S&ED) and the seventh round of China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Beijing.

As long as the two sides tackle differences and sensitive issues in the principle of mutual respect and equality, major disturbances in bilateral relations can be avoided, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should strengthen communication and cooperation on Asia-Pacific affairs.

The broad Pacific Ocean, Xi said, should not become an arena for rivalry, but a big platform for inclusive cooperation.

China and the United States have extensive common interests in the region and should maintain frequent dialogues, cooperate more, tackle challenges, jointly maintain prosperity and stability in the region, and "cultivate common circles of friends" rather than "cultivate exclusive circles of friends," Xi said.

He reaffirmed that China pursues neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and has always been committed to bolstering peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region.

He said all countries share intertwined interests amid multi-polarization, economic globalization and social informatization.

China and the United States should strengthen their mutual trust through regular communication in order to avoid strategic misjudgment, he said.

The Chinese president also called on the two sides to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold the win-win principle, and raise the level of bilateral cooperation.

He urged both countries to strengthen coordination on their macroeconomic polices, jointly work toward positive outcomes at the G20 Hangzhou summit, and reach a reciprocal bilateral investment treaty at an early date.

China and the United States should also deepen cooperation in the areas of climate change, development, Internet, nonproliferation, military and law enforcement, and enhance communication and coordination on major global and regional issues, Xi added.

The president stressed that China will unswervingly pursue the path of peaceful development and promote the building of a new model of international relations with win-win cooperation at its core.

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with all countries to safeguard the international order and global system built on the UN Charter, and make the international order more just and reasonable, he said.

China is confident about meeting its fixed goals for economic and social development, Xi said, adding that the country will provide more opportunities to the world and cooperate more closely with all countries, including the United States.

On people-to-people exchanges, Xi called on both sides to deepen the friendship between the two peoples and facilitate bilateral interactions in various sectors.

The S&ED is co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Monday and Tuesday, while Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong co-chairs the CPE with Kerry.