China's UN envoy expects 'historic' Xi-Trump meeting to lift bilateral ties

China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has described the forthcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump as a historic occasion that could elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

President Xi will make a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 at President Trump's invitation. The two leaders are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on major issues affecting China-U.S. relations as well as global peace and development.

In an interview, Fu said the relationship between the two countries extends well beyond their own borders and carries significance for the wider world. He noted that expectations at the United Nations are high, with many hoping the visit will produce a positive outcome.

Fu pointed to areas where the two sides can cooperate, including counterterrorism and nuclear nonproliferation. He observed that China and the United States are the world's two largest economies and both hold permanent seats on the Security Council, giving them a shared responsibility in international affairs.

At the same time, Fu acknowledged that differences remain between the two countries, including on bilateral trade and on certain global hotspots. Despite these disagreements, he expressed hope that both sides can work together to make the world a better place and to make the United Nations more effective and more relevant.