Xi tells Obama he wants to expand US ties

China would like to make joint efforts with the United States, enhance communication, exchanges and cooperation, and push bilateral ties to achieve new progress, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remark while meeting with former US president Barack Obama at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Xi spoke positively of the efforts made by Obama to push the development of China-US relations during his presidency.

China and the US have wide common interests and shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding the world's peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, he said.

It is in line with the interests of both China and the US as well as other countries around the world to maintain the long-term and healthy development of China-US relations, he added.

During the talk, Xi spoke about the main outcomes of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The congress, concluded in late October, elected a new CPC Central Committee and drew the blueprint for the country's development in coming decades.

Obama expressed gratitude for the meeting with Xi. "I appreciate your taking the time because I know your schedule has been very busy", he said, mentioning the national congress and the recent state visit of US President Donald Trump.

China's achievements in development are admirable, Obama said. Building constructive US-China relations is in line with the interests of the people of both countries, he said, adding that he would like to continue to play a positive role in boosting the nations' mutual understanding and exchanges.

Also attending were Ding Xuexiang, who is a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and also director of the CPC Central Committee General Office, and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.