Ahead of an expected virtual meeting with U.S. President
Joe Biden, Chinese President
Xi Jinping said the country is willing to work with the U.S. — on condition of mutual respect. Beijing typically uses the term “mutual respect” in calling for more favorable communication with the U.S. “Right now, China-U.S. relations are at a critical historical juncture,” Xi said, according to a letter addressed to the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, a New York-based non-profit. “Both countries will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation,” Xi said in the letter. “Cooperation is the only right choice.”
Biden and Xi are
set to hold a virtual meeting as soon as next week, Reuters reported a few hours ahead of the letter’s readout, citing a source familiar with the matter.
In early October, CNBC reported the two leaders planned to hold such a meeting before the end of the year.“Following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with the United States to enhance exchanges and cooperation across the board,” according to the letter.
