Xi meets with Kissinger, calls for more trust between China, U.S.

BEIJING, March 17-- President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for more strategic trust and reciprocal cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi made the remarks as he met with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. Xi praised the veteran diplomat as an "ice-breaker" for China-U.S. diplomacy in the 1970s and for his continuous contributions to the relationship over the past decades.

Recalling his talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in Beijing in November and in a telephone conversation last month, Xi said the two presidents have charted the course for the bilateral relationship and China-U.S. ties are witnessing visible progress.

Xi highlighted the importance of building a new type of China-U.S. relationship as well as peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

"China attaches great importance to ties with the United States and is ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to take care of the relationship," said the Chinese leader, adding that he looks forward to a state visit to the United States later this year.

Xi said China will stick to the path of peaceful development.

"We need a peaceful environment for development and China is a positive and constructive force in international affairs," said the Chinese president.

To advance the China-U.S. relationship, the two sides should learn from history, bear in mind the overall situation and enhance mutual understanding to build strategic trust in each other, according to the president.

He said the two countries should respect each other and seek common ground while setting aside differences to manage disputes and sensitive problems.

During the meeting, Xi also briefed the guest on China's annual sessions of the legislative and political advisory bodies, which have convened over the past two weeks.

For his part, Kissinger hailed the ongoing historic reform in China and said that the U.S.-China relationship is an important one involving global peace, progress and development.

It is a far-sighted decision in the interests of both sides to build a new type of relationship between the two major countries, Kissinger said, wishing President Xi a successful visit to the United States.