WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Feb 27 met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation in all areas.

During the meeting, Yang first conveyed greetings to Trump from Chinese President Xi Jinping, while the US president asked Yang to relay his greetings to President Xi.

Yang noted that President Xi not long ago held an important phone conversation with President Trump, which offered clear guidance on the direction of the development of the China-US relations in the next stage.

By following through on the spirit of the phone conversation and upholding the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to enhance exchanges with the US at all levels from top down, and expand coordination and cooperation with US on bilateral, regional and global issues, respect each others’ core interests and major concerns, Yang said.

Ensuring the steady and healthy development of the China-US ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole, Yang added.

Trump said he was very happy to hold the very important phone conversation with President Xi.

He said the US highly regards its cooperative relations with China, while highlighting the need to enhance high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation in all areas, and increase coordination and cooperation on global and regional affairs.

US Vice President Mike Pence and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, also attended the meeting.

Yang on Feb 27 also held separate meetings with senior US officials, including Kushner, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster, to exchange views on how to promote the China-US ties and other issues of mutual concern.