Common interests bind China, US

BEIJING and Washington are expected to build a greater consensus on hot topics, including trade and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, during US President Donald Trump’s first state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, starting today.

Beijing has sent positive signals of being ready to exchange views with Washington in a candid manner amid the efforts of the world’s two largest economies to reach more consensus and control disagreements.

Zheng Zeguang, vice-foreign minister, said the economic teams of both sides are keeping in close contact to push for resolution of problems in economic and trade areas in a constructive manner.

The economies of the two nations are complementary; the US has a deficit with China in goods trade, but a surplus in service trade, he said, adding the two sides will make more progress in economic relations as long as they uphold the principle of mutual benefit.

Representatives of about 40 companies accompanying Trump are to sign deals for billions of dollars in US investments, according to Bloomberg. And Chinese investment would bring new jobs to hurricane-ravaged areas in Texas and the US Virgin Islands.

The two countries have common interests in denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability in the region, Zheng said, calling on all sides to avoid activities or remarks that may lead to an escalation of tension.

Jin Yong, deputy head of the School of International Studies at the Communication University of China, said the visit would boost mutual political trust as it provides opportunities for the US president to better understand China’s policies under the new era.