BEIJING (AP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the importance of relations with the United States in a phone conversation with President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, opening communication with a politician who had been strongly critical of China during his campaign.
State media reported that Xi congratulated Trump on his election and said cooperation was the “only correct choice” for China and the U.S., the world’s two biggest economies.
“At present, there is an important opportunity and huge potential in China-U.S. cooperation,” Xi told Trump, according to the reports.
Trump’s office said in a statement early Monday that Trump thanked Xi for his well-wishes on his election.
“During the call, the leaders established a clear sense of mutual respect for one another and President-elect Trump stated that he believes the two leaders will have one of the strongest relationships for both countries moving forward,” the statement said.