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.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang announced on Tuesday that Xi will hold a meeting with Obama on June 7 and 8 at Sunnylands, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Estate in California.
A statement posted on the White House's website also announced the meeting, saying the two leaders will hold in-depth discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues. "They will review progress and challenges in US-China relations over the past four years and discuss ways to enhance cooperation, while constructively managing our differences, in the years ahead," it said.
It will be Xi's first meeting with Obama since becoming Chinese president in March.
The AP commented the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting came earlier than had been predicted, saying it was "not expected to be held until September on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Russia."
Addressing a question on the timing of Xi's visit, foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told a briefing that "both China and the US hope the two leaders can meet as early as possible so as to carry out strategic communication and planning for future development of bilateral ties," he said.
Ni Feng, a deputy director of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that a six-month gap before a presidential meeting is too long for China and the US, while both recognize the importance of their relationship. "Not holding bilateral meetings within six months also leaves room for speculation about Sino-US ties," he said.
Although Xi's working visit is coming a little earlier than expected by many observers, Ruan Zongze, deputy head of the China Institute of International Studies, said conditions are ripe.
Frequent top level visits have set an enviable precedent. The Obama administration has sent Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, Secretary of State John Kerry and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey to Beijing since Xi took office in March.
By avoiding rituals and formalities, the meeting will give Xi and Obama enough time to hold in-depth and frank discussions, said Ni.
Ruan noted this arrangement is "unprecedented" in the history of US-China relations, adding that the relaxed atmosphere of the visit will serve to boost the friendship between Xi and Obama.