Xi-Trump summit marks ‘new era’ in China-US ties, says FM

China has referred to the summit held between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump recently as “a historic turning point in bilateral ties,” adding that the sides have come to an agreement on a “framework for stabilizing relations, enhancing cooperation and managing differences amid international uncertainties.”

“[The summit] will be remembered as a new starting point of relations,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters after the summit in Beijing.

The Chinese and American presidents had a discussion, which was “open, thorough, constructive, and strategic in nature, covering all topics of bilateral cooperation and major international issues,” he added.

According to Wang, both sides came to “a number of important agreements” and decided to build a “constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability” in the coming years.

As stated by Wang, the summit was crucial for both parties in view of their current stages of development, as well as for the changing international system.

He further stated that China is now in a new era of development under the 15th Five-Year Plan that focuses on quality growth and modernization, whereas the United States is celebrating its 250 years of independence from Britain. The visit of the two heads of state, he said, had "special historical significance".

According to Wang, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump exchanged views on state administration, Sino-US relations, and international and regional hotspot issues, thereby giving a clear message to the international community that cooperation between the two major powers is essential and achievable.

Both heads, according to Wang, agreed that despite having differences, China and the US can work together for mutual success and make joint efforts to ensure peace and prosperity in the world.

An important achievement at the summit was the two countries' commitment to fostering a "constructive and strategically stable China-US relationship," which Wang called the "guiding vision" for their future relations.

Speaking extensively about this vision, Wang elaborated that a strategic stable relationship between the two countries will be based on four pillars: positive stability, healthy stability, consistent stability, and enduring stability.