Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama pose for photographers on the North Portico ahead of a state dinner at the White House, Sept. 25, 2015. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama at the latter’s invitation, during which the two leaders exchanged Lunar New Year greetings, according to China Daily.
As a result of joint efforts by both sides, major achievements have been made in Sino-U.S. relations in 2015, Xi said.
Xi also expressed China's willingness to join hands with the U.S. in deepening practical cooperation in all fields and strengthening communication and coordination on international, regional and global issues for a sustainable, healthy and steady development of bilateral ties.
For his part, Obama said he was very glad to talk with Xi, and expressed hope that bilateral ties will lead to new progress and that the two sides will continue working together in promoting peace, security and prosperity in both countries as well as the international community.
With grave concerns over the recent nuclear test in North Korea and Pyongyang's announcement of the plan for a new satellite launch, Obama said that the U.S. hopes the international community will strengthen coordination and compel the U.N. Security Council to adopt measures to address the situation effectively.
The U.S. side is willing to cooperate with the Chinese side on the issue, he added.
Xi stressed that the current situation on the Korean peninsula is a complicated and sensitive one.
China is committed to the goal of denuclearization of the Peninsula, Xi said, insisting that the solution is through dialogue and consultation. The Chinese president also reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Xi said the Chinese side supports safeguarding the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and the international nonproliferation system, and is willing to maintain communication and coordination will all the parties involved, including the United States.
