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Xi, Obama meeting earlier than expected
Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with his US counterpart Barack Obama early next month in California, with the meeting between the two top leaders  coming earlier than observers had expected and underlining the importance both governments attach to bilateral ties.

Chinese president to visit three Latin American nations, meet Obama in US
Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico from May 31 to June 6, and meet with US President Barack Obama in the United States on June 7-8, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced Tuesday.

President Xi to meet with Obama in California June 7-8
President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first meeting since Xi became president in March when they sit down for a June 7-8 summit in Rancho Mirage, California, the White House announced on Monday.

Schedules

Visit to three Latin American nations
Time	May 31 to June 6
Agenda	meet with President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona; meet with President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla; meet with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto
Voice of China	Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang: Xi's visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico have important significance for the all-round and in-depth development of China's ties with the three nations, expressing his belief that the visits will inject new vitality to China's relations with the Latin American and Caribbean regions.
Visit to the United States
Time	June 7 to June 8
Agenda	meet with US President Barack Obama
Meeting place
	The leaders will meet at Sunnylands, a 200-acre (80 hectare) estate on Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, California. Sunnylands is the former estate of the late philanthropist Walter Annenberg, who frequently hosted President Ronald Reagan there.
Topics	The global economic recovery; North Korea issue; US allegations of Chinese cyber-attacks;
Preparation	Thomas Donilon, US President Barack Obama's national security advisor, will visit China from May 26 to 28 to prepare for the summit.
Voice of China	Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang: The meeting will bolster the long-term, sound and steady development of the China-US relations, and promote the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Comments

Global Times: Xi, Obama meeting coming at right time

Successful visits by world leaders can play an irreplaceable role in promoting mutual trust among countries. Against the current backdrop where cooperation, frictions, and vigilance are all intertwined within the bilateral relationship, it's vital for us to establish confidence that the two countries are partners instead of rivals.

The Sino-US relationship should be measured in the context of history. Relationships among powers are no longer life-and-death. They have transformed from wars, then to cold wars, then to trade dependence. China and the US have now among each other's largest trade and economic partners.

The Beijing News: Informal talks crucial for mutual trust

Talks between Xi and Obama in early June will be more of a lively public meeting rather than a solemn state visit. Such face-to-face talks will not only attract attention among the public, but hopefully help build mutual trust and friendship between the two leaders. Only friends can achieve formal diplomatic goals in a informal way, and through informal communication between top leadership can China and US achieve this level of “friendship".

China.org.cn: Relaxed, sunny venue key in China-US meet-up

Sunnylands’ relaxed and sunny surroundings will hopefully help along communication between the two leaders and aid in building mutual trust. If Xi and Obama can build trust and forge a good working relationship, China and the US can undoubtedly foster stable strategic ties.

www.zhgpl.com: North Korea likely focus of Xi-Obama meeting

Xi and Obama’s first meeting as presidents is a golden opportunity to discuss how to cooperate in handing the looming North Korea issue. The two leaders will likely focus on how to strengthen strategic coordination and mutual trust.

Experts opinions:

Ruan Zongze, deputy head of the China Institute of International Studies:

This informal meeting between leaders marks the first since China and the US established formal diplomatic relations, something that stands testament to the increased trust between the two nations. As Sino-US relations currently face both opportunities and challenges, it is essential for the two leaders to address any disagreements.

These talks are expected to send a signal that China and the US can join hands in a partnership that not only affects both parties, but also the world.   

Ma Zhengang, vice chairman of China Public Diplomacy Association:

Although there were some issues between China and the US during Obama's first term, the two countries have built a stable relationship based on mutual respect and benefit. Now both nations are discussing how to build on that trust and find new solutions to old problems. As China is rising while the US remains the strongest nation in the world, their relationship is important to the whole world. Though there are many global topics to discuss between them, the key issue is the future development and direction of Sino-US relations.

Wei Zongyou, vice director of School of International and Diplomatic Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University:

In the past, both Chinese and US leadership were extensively briefed before visiting each other. However, this time Xi will stop in the US after his Latin American visit, something that suggests Obama hopes to build a stable relationship with Chinese leadership as soon as possible.

After the new Chinese leadership took office, US officials and scholars visited China more frequently. In addition to helping ease tensions during the US shift in its Asia-Pacific strategy, officials focused on the next step in "the new type of relations between China and the US" and "Chinese Dream" advocated by President Xi.

Recent Visits

Recent foreign visits of Chinese new leadership
Time	Visiting countries	Leader	Reports
May 19 - May 27	India, Pakistan, Switzerland, Germany	Chinese Premier Li Keqiang	Chinese Premier Li Keqiang starts first foreign visit
May 9 - May 12	Argentina, Venezuela	Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao	VP's visit to advance ties with Argentina, Venezuela
Mar. 22- Mar. 27	Russia, Tanzania, South Africa ,the Republic of the Congo	Chinese President Xi Jinping	Xi's foreign debut illuminates China's "world dream"

High-level communications between China and the US in 2013
Time	Event
Apr. 21	Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Beijing.
Apr. 13	John Kerry, the US' top diplomat, visited China.
Mar. 19	US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew visited China.
Jan. 26	The US special representative of DPRK policy Glyn Davies visited China for the Six Party-Talks.

News Vocab

相互信任 xiānghù xìnrèn mutual trust

“相互信任”是指彼此相信且敢于托付的关系或状态。

“相互信任” refers to trust or have confidence in each other.

Example:

如何推进彼此民众的相互信任是重中之重。（source: 《青年参考》）

Their top priority is to promote mutual trust between the people of both countries.

Web Editor: yangruoyu@globaltimes.com.cn