Ahead of Biden-Xi meeting: China hopes for better relations with US Young Spaniard is detained in Iran

China hopes for an improvement in its difficult relations with the United States.

A foreign ministry spokesman said in Beijing on Friday that China wants relations to be based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and peace. Develop cooperation for mutual benefit. “At the same time, we resolutely defend our legitimate rights and interests.”

It is important for the US to work with China to properly deal with differences and promote cooperation. Misunderstandings and miscalculations must be avoided and the relationship must be put “on the right path of healthy and stable development”, the spokesperson said. That is in the interest of both countries. “We hope that the US can cooperate with China and play its responsible role in maintaining peace and development.”

It is the first meeting between the two presidents since Biden took office nearly two years ago. Relations are at an all-time low. Topics of discussion include China’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine, the ongoing trade war, tensions over democratic Taiwan and China’s disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. China accuses the US of trying to hinder its rise in the world. The US, in turn, increasingly sees China as an economic rival and a threat to its security. (sda/dpa)