Alluding To Gaza's Armistice, Xi Jinping Praises Trump 'peacemaker'

US President Donald Trump/ DOC Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping praised United States (US) President Donald Trump for his efforts to create peace when the two met in the port city of Busan, South Korea.

You are very concerned about world peace, and are very enthusiastic in resolving various hot issues in the region. I appreciate your great contribution to achieving the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza," Xi told Trump.

Xi also recorded Trump's role in the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand which was signed on Sunday (26/10), after the two Southeast Asian countries were involved in deadly clashes on the border in July this year.

The meeting marks the first time in six years that the leaders of the world's two largest economies have met face to face. Xi and Trump last met in June 2019 at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

The world is currently faced with many difficult problems. China and the United States can jointly assume our responsibility as a big country and work together to achieve more big and real things for the good of both countries and the rest of the world," Xi told Trump.

"Given our different national conditions, we don't always agree, and it's natural for the world's two largest economies to experience friction occasionally," the Chinese leader continued.

Xi also acknowledged that the trade teams of China and the US, which have met several times, including in Malaysia last weekend, have made encouraging progress towards a strong foundation and a positive atmosphere for bilateral talks.

"In the face of wind, waves and challenges, you and I as commanders of China-US relations must remain on the right track and ensure the large Chinese-US relations ship sail forward stably," Xi stressed.

Xi and Trump are in South Korea ahead of APEC's 32nd Economic Leaders Summit in the city of Gyeongju, southeastern Korea, which Xi will also attend. Trump himself has held a meeting with APEC business leaders on Wednesday (29/10).