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China's Xi Jinping In Closely Watched Visit To The US
BBC NEWS, CHINA
February 13, 2012: The man likely to become China's next leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, is set to begin a closely watched visit to the United States. In comments to a US newspaper ahead of his trip Mr Xi sounded a note of warning to the US over its military stance in the Pacific. He said scaling up military activity was not what countries in the region wanted to see. As well as comments focusing on the US role in the Pacific, he said that what has happened over the last 40 years "tells us that a sound and stable China-US relationship is crucial for both countries."
His comments were published in The Washington Post as written, translated answers provided by the Chinese government in response to the newspaper's questions.
He will meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday. Mr Xi, 58, is widely expected to succeed President Hu Jintao, who must retire as head of the Communist Party later this year and from the presidency in 2013.
He will meet senior White House officials as well during his visit, which will also incorporate travel to Iowa and California.
'Frictions and differences'
Correspondents say the US-China relationship has become an increasingly delicate one over a series of security and economic issues. Washington has been putting pressure on China over the value of its currency and turning the heat up on what it has called unfair trade practices. In his comments, Mr Xi emphasized that China has taken ''active steps'' to address these concerns.
''Frictions and differences are hardly avoidable in our economic and trade interactions,'' he said. ''We must not allow frictions and differences to undermine the larger interests of our business cooperation.''
China on the other hand, has voiced concern over the US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and displeasure over arms sales to Taiwan, which it still claims as a province. The two countries, Mr Xi said, have ''converging interests'' in the region and there is ''ample space'' for both in the Pacific Ocean. "We also hope that the United States will fully respect and accommodate the major interest and legitimate concerns of Asia-Pacific countries," he wrote.
Mr Xi's trip also comes amidst increased tension over protests and tightened security in Tibet. Human rights activists have planned to stage protests over Tibet outside the White House.
He is also scheduled to visit Ireland and Turkey, following the US trip.
