Xi meets U.S. California governor

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Gavin Newsom, governor of the U.S. state of California, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2023. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Gavin Newsom, governor of the U.S. state of California, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Noting that China and the United States, as the world's two largest economies, account for more than a third of the global economy and nearly a quarter of the world's population, and bilateral trade accounts for about a fifth of the global total, Xi said the interests of both sides are closely intertwined.

Xi said that the achievements of China-U.S. relations have not come easily and should be cherished all the more.

China's policy toward the United States is consistent, which is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi said, adding that China will continue to work in this direction and hopes that the United States will work with China in the same direction.

Xi recalled his experience of visiting California and introduced China's green transition and relevant local development, pointing out that the sound development of China-U.S. relations requires pooling the strength of all sides.

The foundation of China-U.S. relations lies among the people, the hope is in the people, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in sub-national areas, Xi said.

Xi noted that he highly values and supports exchanges across various sectors and sub-national cooperation between China and the United States, and expressed the hope that Newsom's visit will enhance mutual understanding and play a positive role in expanding cooperation between China and California and promoting the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations.

China and the United States enjoy great potential for cooperation in the fields of promoting green development and addressing climate change. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in this aspect and make it a new highlight in the development of China-U.S. ties, said Xi.

Newsom said that over the past few decades, China has made remarkable achievements in development, especially in the field of new energy in recent years.

No other bilateral relationship is more important than the one between the United States and China, and the U.S.-China relationship is vital to the future of the United States and bears on the well-being of its people, Newsom said.

Newsom said he is willing to push California to strengthen exchanges with China and seek closer cooperation in fields such as climate change and new energy. California is willing to be China's long-term, stable and strong partner, he added.

Senior Chinese official Wang Yi was present at the meeting.