Cooperation between China, US can achieve ‘great things’, says Beijing

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Tuesday concurred with the US President-elect Donald Trump that cooperation between Beijing and Washington can achieve “great things.”

“As long as China and the United States cooperate, many great things can be accomplished,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a seminar on Chinese diplomacy in Beijing, according to a ministry statement.

His remarks came hours after Trump said China and the US can together solve “all of the problems of the world.”

Trump, who will assume office next month as the 47th US president, was responding to reporters whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend his inauguration.

He said Xi was his “friend” and the two had a “very good relationship until” the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in late 2019.

“COVID didn't end the relationship, but it was a bridge too far for me,” Trump told a news conference in Florida on Monday.

The incoming president did not confirm whether Xi would attend his oath-taking ceremony on Jan. 20.

“I would love to have him (during the presidential inauguration) and we have (had) very good conversations through letters etc.,” Trump added.

Xi "is an amazing guy… the press hates when I say that but he is an amazing person,” Trump doubled down on his claims about the Chinese president.

His statement on Xi comes as the Republican winner has warned to raise tariffs on Chinese imports.

“Everyone is very concerned about China-US relations,” Wang told the seminar in Beijing.

Wang added that the past engagements between the two sides including at the level of presidents have been “widely welcomed by all sectors of the two countries and the international community.”

Charging Washington with “crude interference in China's internal affairs on issues such as Taiwan,” Wang said Beijing “must make a firm and strong response, resolutely defend our legitimate rights and interests, and safeguard the basic norms of international relations.”

Recalling a phone call by Xi to greet Trump on his electoral victory, Wang said the Chinese president provided “strategic guidance for the development of China-US relations.”

“We hope that the new US government will make the right choice,” Wang said, urging Washington for a “stable, healthy and sustainable development of Sino-US relations.”