Beijing: Pinning hope on American public to maintain Sino-China relations, President Xi Jinping said foundation of Beijing-Washington relations “Lies in people-to-people ties.”

Xi made remarks after he hosted billionaire Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Beijing. “You are first American friend I met in Beijing this year,” Xi told Gates, according to state-run Xinhua News. Gates (67) arrived in China for his first visit to global superpower in four years. He has visited China 18 times until now.

“We always place hope on American people and hope that peoples of our two countries will maintain their friendship,” Xi said. Meeting comes amid what Beijing calls “New difficulties” faced by bilateral relations with Washington. As world is moving out of Covid-19 endemic, Xi said, “People should move more, communicate more and enhance understanding.” Referring to his proposals of Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative, Xi said these initiatives “Provide Chinese solutions to global challenges” which are “Accelerating.”

“China first focuses on solving its own problems well,” he said, adding, “China’s long-term stability and sustainable development is major contribution to world peace, stability and prosperity.”

Xi emphasised China “will never seek hegemony, but will work with other countries to achieve common development and promote building of community with shared future for mankind.” To Gates and his foundation, Xi said, “China is willing to work with him and his foundation to continue strengthening cooperation in relevant fields and provide support and help to other developing countries.” “Solving problems like climate change, health inequity and food insecurity requires innovation. From developing malaria drugs to investing in climate adaptation, China has lot of experience in that.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 17 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.