Almost three weeks after he took office, U.S. president Donald Trump has reportedly broken the ice with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. In a letter sent to Xi Jinping which was the first direct communication since the inauguration, the US president said he seeks to develop constructive relations with China. Trump also wished the Chinese people a happy Year of the Rooster.
In a statement, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump had used the missive to tell Xi he was looking forward to working with him “to develop a constructive relationship that benefits both the United States and China”.
In response to the letter, Lu Kang, spokesperson for China's Foreign ministry said in a statement "We highly praise President Trump's festival wishes to Chairman Xi Jinping and the Chinese people". The statment reaffirm China's commitment to a healthy relationship between the two countries moving forward.
"China is willing to work together with the U.S. to maintain the principles of no conflict or confrontation, mutual respect, cooperation and mutual benefit in order to broaden cooperation, manage differences, and promote a greater development of the healthy and sustained China-U.S. relationship," the statement said.
