President Xi eyes bigger role for California in China-U.S. cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with visiting California Governor Jerry Brown of United States at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday called on California to play a bigger role in promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the United States.

He said he hoped California could continue to promote bilateral exchanges between localities and contribute more to China-U.S. cooperation in areas including technology, innovation and green development.

Xi made the remarks in his meeting with visiting California Governor Jerry Brown at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Since the two countries established diplomatic ties, China-U.S. relations have weathered various tests and always moved forward, bringing huge benefits to both peoples," Xi said. "Bilateral relations also contributed a lot to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world."

China pursues a path of peaceful, open and green development, he said, calling on the two sides to enhance communication and expand cooperation to push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

Xi said local-level exchanges and cooperation were an important pillar of China-U.S. relations, hoping that the two sides could make local-level exchanges and cooperation into a new engine for the growth of bilateral relations.

He welcomed California to join the Belt and Road Initiative.

Brown said California valued the traditional friendship with China and committed itself to dialogue and cooperation with Chinese local governments.

Voicing appreciation of Xi's speech at the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos in January, Brown said California was willing to join the construction of the Belt and Road and was looking forward to a stronger cooperative relationship with China in trade, investment, clean technology and environmental protection.