Chinese vice president aims to end trust deficit with US

Philippine Times (IANS) Friday 10th February, 2012

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the US will provide an opportunity to end the "trust deficit" that exists between the two countries, a minister has said.

"The level of mutual trust between China and the US is lagging behind what is required for the further development of our bilateral relations," deputy foreign minister Cui Tiankai was quoted as saying by the China Daily.

Xi will visit the US Feb 13-17, where he will meet US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta as well as leaders of both houses of the Congress.

Xi's visit will present "a very important opportunity to enhance mutual trust", the minister said.

The purpose of this visit is to further advance the partnership that is based on mutual respect and mutual benefits, said Cui.

Cui said the visit would help remove hurdles from China-US trade, including restrictions on US exports of hi-tech products to China and obstacles to Chinese investment in America.

Xi's visit comes at a time when both countries have differences over a range of global issues, including sanctions on Iranian oil exports, the situation on the Korean peninsula, territorial disputes over islands in the South China Sea, and a recent UN draft resolution on Syria which China vetoed.