Top U.S. and Chinese Diplomats Hold Talks Ahead of Summit... Wang Yi: "Abandoning Pressure Is Key to Stable Relations"

"Recent Ups and Downs, Need to Prepare Well for High-Level Exchanges"
U.S. Secretary of State: "Expecting a Positive Signal"

Ahead of the U.S.-China summit, the top diplomats of both countries held a phone conversation on the 27th.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "If both countries faithfully implement the important agreements made between the leaders, uphold the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, resolve conflicts through dialogue, and abandon the practice of resorting to pressure at every turn, the bilateral relationship can be stabilized and move forward."

He added, "President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump have maintained a long-standing exchange and mutual respect, which has become the most valuable strategic asset in China-U.S. relations." He continued, "Although there have been ups and downs in recent economic and trade relations between China and the U.S., through the trade talks held in Kuala Lumpur, both sides clarified their positions, enhanced mutual understanding, and reached a framework agreement to resolve trade issues on an equal footing."

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Xi Jinping, President of China. Photo by Yonhap News

Director Wang also said, "I hope both sides will move forward together, make thorough preparations for high-level exchanges between China and the U.S., and create the conditions necessary for the development of bilateral relations."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "The U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and we hope that high-level exchanges will send a positive signal to the world."

The leaders of both countries are scheduled to visit Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju and hold a bilateral meeting in Busan on the 30th, marking their first meeting in over six years.