Chinese state councilor meets U.S. President Trump

Yang Jiechi, Chinese State Councilor.[Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House.

During his meeting with Donald Trump, Yang Jiechi says the initial telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump earlier in February has been significant in laying out the direction for China-US relations in the next stage.

Yang Jiechi says based on an understanding reached by the two heads of state, and on the principles of "no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," China is willing to work with the US to enhance exchanges at the highest levels, and on issues of both bilateral and global concern.

Yang Jiechi, a former Chinese ambassador to Washington, also says both sides need to respect each other's core interests and concerns.

For his part, Donald Trump says he is glad to have held his conversation with Xi Jinping, saying the United States attaches great importance to cooperation with China.

The US president says both sides will work on enhancing high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields in order to promote cooperation in regional and global issues.

US Vice President Mike Pence and senior White House advisor Jared Kushner also attended the meeting.

Yang Jiechi has also met with other Trump administration officials, including White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and Trump's new National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster.