BEIJING: In a telephone call here on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the United States President-elect Donald Trump that cooperation was the only choice to create strong relations between the two countries.
“The facts prove that cooperation is the only correct choice for China and the United States,” China Central Television (CCTV) cited Xi as telling Trump in the call.
“The two sides must strengthen coordination, promote the two countries’ economic development and global economic growth, expand all areas of exchange and cooperation, ensure the two countries’ people obtain more tangible benefits, and push for better development going forward in China-US relations,” the Chinese president said.
Trump had earlier lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with his pledges to slap 45 per cent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and to label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.
Trump, however, told Xi he was willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation and that he believed US-China relations can “definitely achieve greater development,” the channel said.
The two agreed to maintain close communication and meet soon, CCTV said. Xi had congratulated Trump in a message delivered shortly after his surprise election victory last week.
Trump appears to be seeking quick ways to withdraw the United States from a global accord to combat climate change, billed by China and US President Barack Obama as a key area for cooperation.
