Xi, Kissinger agree on momentum of China-US relations

The common interests between China and the United States are far more than their disagreements, and the two countries should handle disputes in a constructive manner, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Beijing.

Kissinger, 93, who helped arrange the then-president Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972, is expected to play a key role in mapping out the foreign policy of US President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20.

"Dr. Kissinger, your visit is a very timely one, and we look forward to hearing your views on the growth of China-US relations going forward," Xi said.

Mentioning that he had met with US President Barack Obama at Lima, Peru, last month and had talked with President-elect Donald Trump over phone, Xi said that the two countries are now in a key moment.

"We, on the China side, are watching the situation very closely. Now it is in the transitional period," he told Kissinger.

Calling himself "an old friend of Chinese people", Kissinger said that the US-China relationship is important for both countries as well as the world.

It would also be the expectation of the US new government to push forward the sustainable, steady, and better development of US-China relationship, he said, adding that he would like to play a positive role in enhancing communications between the two countries.

On Nov 17, Trump met with Kissinger in New York to discuss "China, Russia, Iran, the EU and other events and issues around the world". "President-elect Trump and Dr. Kissinger have known each other for years and had a great meeting," according to an official statement from the president-elect's team.

"I have tremendous respect for Dr. Kissinger and appreciate him sharing his thoughts with me,” Trump said, according to the statement.

Prior to the meeting with Xi, Kissinger met with Wang Qishan, China's top anti-corruption official, on Thursday. He told Wang that he would like to contribute to the healthy development of US-China relationship.