China- U.S. relations: Pres. Xi Jinping says relationship “at vital stage”

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that relations between China and the United States were “at a vital stage”.

President Xi made the remarks to US counterpart Donald Trump in a congratulatory message to mark 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

According to the state-backed Xinhua news agency, Xi said that history had proved cooperation was the best choice for both sides. He then added that he stands ready to work with Trump to develop China-US relations and implement their consensus in a joint effort to advance the relationship.

The two countries agreed in December last year to a 90-day temporary ceasefire in their tit-for-tat trade war. It is hoped that this will allow them time to hold fresh talks in order to try and end a dispute in which they have imposed increasingly severe tariffs on each other’s goods.