Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama meet with the press after their talks in Washington D.C., the United States, Sept. 25, 2015. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
RELATED STORIES:
—— Xi, Obama outline joint vision to combat global climate change
President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama outlined their common vision for a global climate change agreement on Friday, including new steps they will take to deliver on pledges made in 2014 to slash their greenhouse gas emissions.
China will launch its national emission trading system in 2017, covering key industry sectors such as iron and steel, power generation, chemicals and building materials, to help contain the country's emissions, said the US-China Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change.
The emission trading systems, which started its operations from the United States early in 1977 and was followed suit by other Western countries, including Germany, England and Australia, put limits on carbon emissions and open up markets for companies to buy and sell the right to produce emissions.
China's proposed cap-and-trade system would create the world's biggest carbon market.
The joint presidential statement was a highlight of a state visit to Washington by Xi, as the two leaders tackled difficult issues including cyber security.
It built on the US-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change last November, when the United States pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 perceht below 2005 levels by 2025, while China agreed to cap its rising emissions by 2030.
—— Xi, Obama take aim at cybertheft
China and the United States marked major milestones on cybersecurity and the fight against climate change on Friday during President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US.
Both sides have agreed not to conduct or support cybertheft, Xi and US President Barack Obama announced in a joint news conference.
Additionally, in a joint statement that built on lat November's historic announcement by Xi and Obama on post-2020 climate targets, the two countries set out a common vision for a new global climate agreement to be concluded in Paris this December.
It includes commitments to global climate finance and demonstrates the determination of both countries to act decisively to achieve the goals set last year, according to the White House.
As Xi embarked on the long-awaited summit with Obama, the two leaders voiced strong confidence in China-US ties.
Both sides have pledged commitment to resolving disputes between them, which observers said sends a clear signal to the world that the two largest economies are making promises to avoid miscalculation or conflict in the Asia-Pacific region.
During a welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Xi said that the two countries should enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen understanding and respect each other's core interests and concerns.
On the world stage, China and the US should strengthen coordination on major issues and "jointly face global challenges", he added.
—— China, U.S. share common interests on South China Sea issue: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday that China and the United States have "a lot of common interests" on the issue of the South China Sea.
Xi, paying his first state visit to the United States, made the remarks at a joint press conference with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House.
Both China and the United States support the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as a peaceful solution to disputes among directly concerned parties through negotiations and consultations, he said.
The two countries also support the freedom of navigation and overflight that countries enjoy according to international law and the management of differences through dialogue, he added.
Xi noted that both China and the United States support the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and an earlier completion of negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea based on consensus.
The two sides have agreed to continue to maintain constructive communication on relevant issues, said the Chinese president.
Before flying to the U.S. capital, Xi concluded a busy two-and-a-half-day stay in the West Coast technology and aviation hub of Seattle, where he put forward a four-point proposal on developing a new model of major-country relationship between China and the United States.
The Chinese president will be in New York from Sept. 26 to 28 for a series of summits and meetings marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
—— Military-to-military ties vital to China-U.S. relations: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that military-to-military ties are a vital component of China-U.S. relations and the two sides should maintain the momentum for high-level military exchanges.
Xi, paying his first state visit to the United States, made the remarks during talks with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama.
He called on the two militaries to make better use of institutional dialogue and conduct more joint drills and training, saying China, at the invitation of the U.S. side, will attend the 2016 Rim of the Pacific multilateral naval drills and dispatch personnel to Seattle to participate in humanitarian aid and disaster relief rehearsal.
Before flying to the U.S. capital, Xi concluded a busy two-and-a-half-day stay in the West Coast technology and aviation hub of Seattle, where he put forward a four-point proposal on developing a new model of major-country relationship between China and the United States.
The Chinese president will be in New York from Sept. 26 to 28 for a series of summits and meetings marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
—— China, U.S. have no choice but to seek win-win cooperation: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday that China and the United States have no choice but to seek win-win cooperation.
Speaking at a state arrival ceremony held by U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House, Xi noted that China and the United States can make greater impact by working together than their individual efforts.
"I come to the United States this time to promote peace and advance cooperation. We would like to work with the U.S. side to make great advances in our relationship, and deliver more benefits to people of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.
The Chinese leader laid out five aspects the two countries need to concentrate on in order to further promote bilateral relations.
"We must uphold the right direction of building a new model of major-country relations" and "make sure our relationship is defined by peace, respect and cooperation," Xi said.
Xi urged the two sides to "enhance strategic trust and mutual understanding, respect each others' interests and concerns, be broad-minded about our differences and disagreements and strengthen our people's confidence in China-U.S. friendship and cooperation."
Stressing the importance of win-win cooperation, Xi said the outcome of the cooperation between the two countries should "improve the well-being of people of our two countries and the world."
Xi said the two countries also need to enhance friendship and promote interactions between the two peoples.
On global affairs, Xi said the two countries "must promote world peace and development, improve coordination on major international and regional issues, and make concerted efforts to address global challenges."
"Success comes with dedicated efforts. China-U.S. relations have reached a new starting point in the 21st century," said Xi. "Let us work hand-in-hand with great resolve to write a new chapter in China-U.S. relations."