Xi Jinping's quotes on the Sino-US relationship

Editor's note: Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with his U.S. counterpart, President Trump, at the Mar-a-lago estate in Florida from April 6 to 7. This will be the first meeting between leaders of the two countries since Trump took office.

We summarize some of Xi Jinping's quotes on Sino-U.S. relations below.

1. Establish a new model of major-country relations, deliver greater benefits to the Chinese and American people

【Date】June 2016

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】The Eighth Round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the Seventh Round of China-U.S. High-level Consultation on Person-to-Person Exchange, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

【Remarks】Xin Qiji, a poet from China's Song Dynasty, once wrote, "Thick mountains could not stop the river from flowing into the sea." In fact, all rivers have to travel a meandering course before reaching their destination. For China and the U.S., as long as we stay focused on our goal and persevere in our efforts, we will be able to make even greater progress in building the new model of major-country relations and deliver greater benefits not just to the people of our two nations but to people of all nations in the world.

2. Stick to the greatest common denominator of China-U.S. relations

【Date】March 2017

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

【Remarks】China and the U.S. can be very good partners. As long as both sides stick to the greatest common denominator, the development of bilateral relations could enjoy correct direction. It is hoped that the two sides properly address and control sensitive issues, so as to push bilateral relations toward a new starting point of healthy and stable development.

3. The One China policy is the political foundation for China-U.S. relations

【Date】February 2017

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】In a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump

【Remarks】Facing the current complicated international situation and an endless variety of challenges, the necessity and urgency of strengthening cooperation between China and the U.S. has increased. Appreciating Donald Trump's emphasis on the U.S. government's adherence to the One China policy, Xi Jinping pointed out that the policy is the political foundation for China-U.S. relations.

4. Hopes for the U.S. to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea

【Date】September 2016

【Location】Hangzhou

【Occasion】During the G20 summit in Hangzhou, in talks with then-U.S. President Barack Obama at the West Lake State Guesthouse

【Remarks】With regard to the South China Sea issue, Xi Jinping pointed out that China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, while also insisting on peaceful consultation and negotiations to settle disputes with the parties directly concerned. It is hoped that the U.S. can play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

5. Let friendship grow between each generation of Chinese and American people

【Date】June 2016

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】Joint opening ceremony of the Eighth Round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, and the Seventh Round of China-U.S. High-level Consultation on Person-to-Person Exchange, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

【Remarks】Friendship and exchange among the people provides a constant driving force for growing bilateral relations. Mutual understanding and friendship provide the basis for the growth of China-U.S. relations. We need to build more platforms and keep facilitating these exchanges so that the friendship between our peoples will expand from generation to generation.

6. Stick to principles of non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation

【Date】June 2016

【Location】 Beijing

【Occasion】The Eighth Round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the Seventh Round of China-U.S. High-level Consultation on Person-to-Person Exchange, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

【Remarks】Most important, I believe, is that the two sides stay committed to the principles of non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and work steadily toward this new model of major-country relations.

7. The two countries should join hands on issues of global significance

【Date】January 2016

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】During a meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Great Hall of the People

【Remarks】The healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations is not only in the interest of both sides, but is also in line with the expectations of the international community. The two countries should join hands to keep advancing their agreed-upon agenda, maintain communication and coordination on issues of global significance, and promote the proper solution of various problems.

8. China, U.S. should move in the same direction, showing good faith to one another

【Date】November 2015

【Location】Paris

【Occasion】During talks with then-U.S. President Barack Obama

【Remarks】Regarding issues related to cyberspace, China and the U.S. should move in the same direction, showing good faith to one another. Both sides should jointly promote dialogue to obtain positive results.

9. China-U.S. relations have gone through trials and hardships, but always moved forward

【Date】September 2015

【Location】Washington, D.C.

【Occasion】Xi Jinping held talks with then-U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House

【Remarks】China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important relationships in the world. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 36 years ago, China-U.S. relations have gone through trials and hardships, but have always moved forward to realize historic development.

10. Promoting construction of a new model of major-country relations between China and the U.S., in the spirit of "accumulating droplets to form a pool and heaping earth to create a mountain"

【Date】November 2014

【Location】Beijing

【Occasion】President Xi Jinping held a meeting with then-U.S. President Barack Obama at Zhongnanhai.

【Remarks】We should continuously push forward the construction of a new model of major-country relations between China and the U.S., utilizing a strategic and long-term perspective with the spirit of "accumulating droplets to form a pool and heaping earth to create a mountain."