Stage set for candid talks, positive results starting on Wednesday

Beijing and Washington are expected to build a greater environment of consensus and boost mutual understanding on hot topics including trade and Korean Peninsula nuclear issues during US President Donald Trump's visit, which starts on Wednesday, analysts said.

Trump's first state visit to China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, marks the first visit of a head of state since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month. The congress elected the new CPC Central Committee and drew the blueprint for the nation's development in coming decades.

Beijing has sent positive signals in recent days of being ready to exchange views with Washington on major issues in a candid manner amid the efforts of the world's two largest economies to reach more consensus and control disagreements.

Zheng Zeguang, vice-foreign minister, said that the economic teams of both sides are keeping in close contact in preparation for the visit to push for resolution of problems in economic and trade areas in a constructive manner.

The economies of the two nations are complementary - the US has a deficit with China in goods trade but a surplus in service trade, he said, adding that the two sides will make more progress in economic relations as long as they uphold the principle of mutual benefit.

Representatives from about 40 companies are expected to accompany Trump to China and sign deals for billions of dollars in US investments, according to Bloomberg. Chinese investment would bring new jobs to hurricane-ravaged areas in Texas and the US Virgin Islands, said the report.

The US should increase its exports and investment to China to address the issue of unbalanced trade, rather than restricting imports from China, because a trade war would result in losses on both sides, Zheng told reporters at a news briefing.

The two countries have common interests in denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability in the region, he said, while calling on all sides to avoid activities or remarks that may lead to an escalation of tension.

Jin Yong, deputy head of the School of International Studies at the Communication University of China, said that the visit will boost mutual political trust as it provides opportunities for the US president to better understand China's policies under the new era.

The personal friendship between Xi and Trump is also expected to be a positive factor for bilateral ties given that the two leaders have maintained close and frequent contacts in the past months over major global and regional issues, he said.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn