My hopes are with ‘the American people’, China’s Xi Jinping tells ‘old friend’ Bill Gates
- President Xi Jinping uses special diplomatic term for Gates as he meets Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist in Beijing
- People should ‘communicate more to enhance understanding’, Xi says, in loaded message ahead of top US diplomat Antony Blinken’s visit to China
“I always believe that the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people. I place my hopes on the American people,” Xi told the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Gates was the first “American friend” he had met this year, Xi said, as he welcomed him to the Diaoyutai State Guest House. He also called Gates “an old friend” – a diplomatic term reserved for foreign entities who contribute to China’s development, are concerned about Chinese interests and understand Chinese problems.
“Under the current global situation, we can carry out various activities that are beneficial to our two countries, to the people of our two countries, and to humanity as a whole,” Xi said, adding that he hoped for continued friendship between the peoples of China and the United States.
The message from Xi came just two days ahead of a visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as bilateral tensions continue to simmer.