Xi, Trump discuss upcoming China visit, Korean Peninsula situation

Beijing, Sep 18 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump discussed Trump's visit to China later this year and the Korean Peninsula situation over the phone on Monday.

Xi said China and the US share extensive common interests and have seen sound momentum of exchanges and cooperation in various areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi said he was happy to maintain communications with Trump on a regular basis over topics of mutual concern.

He also said Beijing attaches great importance to Trump's state visit to China, and called on both sides to work closely to ensure a fruitful trip and inject new impetus into the development of China-US relations.

The two sides need to strengthen high-level contacts and contacts at all levels, operate the first round of China-US social and cultural dialogue as well as law enforcement and cyber security dialogue, and extend bilateral cooperation in all fields, Xi noted.

For his part, Trump said he was looking forward to paying the state visit to China, hoping that the trip can strongly move bilateral ties further forward.

It is satisfactory for the US and Chinese heads of state to maintain close contacts and a fine working relationship, Trump said.

This year both the United States and China have important domestic agendas, the US President noted, expressing the hope that these agendas will all be smoothly carried out.

Xi also expressed sympathy and solicitude to Trump and the American people for the destruction caused by the hurricanes in the United States over the past few days while Trump expressed thanks.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.