The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden exchanged congratulations marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, according to a report by news agency Reuters.
Xi said that both the US and China have “weathered storms” and “moved forward in general” due to which the well-being of the people of both countries enhanced and led to world peace, stability and prosperity. He said that US and China forming ties is a major event in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations.
“I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to steer and navigate the China-US relationship for the benefit of China and the US and the two peoples, and to promote the cause of world peace and development,” Xi Jinping said.
Biden administration officials visited Beijing last year on several occasions and met their counterparts in an attempt to rebuild communications and trust which later led to the high-stakes summit between Biden and Xi in San Francisco in November. The meeting was seen as an opportunity to reduce tensions between the world’s two-largest economies.
The summit, according to Xi Jinping, pointed out the direction for both nations’ ties, under a future-oriented vision.
Xi Dials Putin
On New Year’s Eve, the Chinese leader exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations.
Russia’s economic reliance on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated, hit by sanctions especially from Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine, a war which will enter its third year come February.
Xi said China and Russia should “continuously consolidate” and develop ties “featuring permanent good-neighbourly friendship,” along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both countries’ interests.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war.
North Korea Friendship Year
Xi Jinping also exchanged New Year’s messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. He and Kim announced 2024 to be a “friendship year” for both countries. The leaders also launched a series of events to observe the festivities.
Xi said China is willing to work with Pyongyang to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
Mao declared the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, while Chiang’s government fled into exile in Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty has ever been signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwan’s formal name.
Xi said in his New Year’s address on Sunday that China’s “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable, striking a stronger tone than he did a year earlier with less than two weeks to go before the democratically governed island elects a new leader.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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