China suggests new platform for regular dialogue with US

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the door for new dialogue between China and the United States on many of their thorniest issues – ­including trade and ­cybersecurity – on the first day of his summit with US President Donald Trump, who welcomed him warmly as a friend.

Xi’s proposal for four parallel consultation mechanisms would replace the now-defunct Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) which helped contain divergent and often conflicting interests between the two nations through regular meetings since 2009, diplomatic observers said.

Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying that both sides should “make full use of the newly established high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanisms” to maintain close contactsand push for concrete outcomes. Trump also accepted Xi’s invitation to visit China this year, it reported.

Trump extended a cordial welcome to Xi and his entourage on Thursday, making warm remarks that contrasted with his previous harsh tone against Beijing.

“It is a great honour to have the president of China and his incredibly talented wife,” Trump said at a welcoming dinner for Xi. “We had a long discussion already. So far, I have gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing, but we have developed a friendship,” Trump said. “I think, long-term, we are going to have a very, very great relationship and I look very much forward to it.”