Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has exchanged congratulations with US President Joe Biden on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
Xi, in his message, said both nations have “weathered the storms and moved forward in general,” which has enhanced the well-being of their peoples, and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity, a ministry statement said.
Xi called China and the US forming ties “a major event” in the history of bilateral and international relations.
Photo: EPA-EFE
China-US ties have been frosty, but Biden administration officials visited Beijing and met with their counterparts to rebuild communications and trust in the months leading up to a high-stakes summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco in November last year, deemed an opportunity to cool tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Xi said the summit has pointed out the direction for both nations’ ties, under a future-oriented vision.
“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 said.
The US is due hold its presidential election in November, in which former US president Donald Trump, an outspoken critic of China, is campaigning against Biden to return for a second term.
Xi also exchanged New Year’s messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong-un, and both announced this would be a “friendship year” for both nations, the foreign ministry said separately.
Xi said China is willing to work with North Korea 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.
On New Year’s Eve, the Chinese leader also exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations.
Russia’s economic reliance on China has grown as the nation becomes increasingly isolated since its invasion of Ukraine.
Xi said China and Russia should “continuously consolidate” and develop ties, along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both nations’ interests.
TRAGEDY STRIKES TAIPEI: The suspect died after falling off a building after he threw smoke grenades into Taipei Main Station and went on a killing spree in Zhongshan A 27-year-old suspect allegedly threw smoke grenades in Taipei Main Station and then proceeded to Zhongshan MRT Station in a random killing spree that resulted in the death of the suspect and two other civilians, and seven injured, including one in critical condition, as of press time last night. The suspect, identified as a man surnamed Chang Wen (張文), allegedly began the attack at Taipei Main Station, the Taipei Fire Department said, adding that it received a report at 5:24pm that smoke grenades had been thrown in the station. One man in his 50s was rushed to hospital after a cardiac arrest
A car bomb killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow yesterday morning, the latest high-profile army figure to be blown up in a blast that came just hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegates held separate talks in Miami on a plan to end the war. Kyiv has not commented on the incident, but Russian investigators said they were probing whether the blast was “linked” to “Ukrainian special forces.” The attack was similar to other assassinations of generals and pro-war figures that have either been claimed, or are widely believed to have been orchestrated, by Ukraine. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head
SAFETY FIRST: Double the number of police were deployed at the Taipei Marathon, while other cities released plans to bolster public event safety Authorities across Taiwan have stepped up security measures ahead of Christmas and New Year events, following a knife and smoke bomb attack in Taipei on Friday that left four people dead and 11 injured. In a bid to prevent potential copycat incidents, police deployments have been expanded for large gatherings, transport hubs, and other crowded public spaces, according to official statements from police and city authorities. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city has “comprehensively raised security readiness” in crowded areas, increased police deployments with armed officers, and intensified patrols during weekends and nighttime hours. For large-scale events, security checkpoints and explosives
PUBLIC SAFETY: The premier said that security would be tightened in transport hubs, while President Lai commended the public for their bravery The government is to deploy more police, including rapid response units, in crowded public areas to ensure a swift response to any threats, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday after a knife attack killed three people and injured 11 in Taipei the previous day. Lai made the remarks following a briefing by the National Police Agency on the progress of the investigation, saying that the attack underscored the importance of cooperation in public security between the central and local governments. The attack unfolded in the early evening on Friday around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later near the Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan
RSS