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Tillerson-Xi Meeting Focuses on Building Better Relations

by Reuters

   BEIJING --

   U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Chinese President Xi Jinping
   Sunday that President Donald Trump looks forward to enhancing
   understanding with China and the opportunity for a visit in the future.

   Xi said he was glad to see good progress from Tillerson's meetings in
   China so far and that he and Trump expect a new stage of constructive
   development in bilateral relations.

   Communication

   Tillerson said Trump places a "very high value on the communications
   that have already occurred" between Xi and Trump.

   "He looks forward to enhancing that understanding in the opportunity
   for a visit in the future," Tillerson said.

   "We know that through further dialogue we will achieve a greater
   understanding that will lead to a strengthening of the ties between
   China and the United States, and set the tone for our future
   relationship of cooperation."

   Xi said Tillerson had made many efforts to achieve a smooth transition
   in this new era of relations.

   "You said that China-U.S. relations can only be friendly. I express my
   appreciation for this," Xi said.

   No mention of North Korea

   Xi added he had communicated with Trump several times.

   "We both believe that China-U.S. cooperation henceforth is the
   directions we are both striving for. We are both expecting a new era
   for constructive development."

   Tillerson and Xi were meeting in Beijing's Great Hall of the People at
   the end of Tillerson's first visit to China after taking office last
   month.

   There was no mention of contentious issues like North Korea's missile
   and nuclear programs or self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its
   own.