U.S., China sound positive note ahead of summit

BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice have stressed that they can manage differences over sensitive issues, sounding a positive note ahead of Xi's state visit to Washington next month.

Rice met Xi and Chinese officials on Friday during her two-day visit to Beijing aimed at fine-tuning the agenda for next month's summit between U.S. President Barack Obama and Xi.

During the meeting with Rice, Xi said, "China attaches great importance to the growth of the China-U.S. relationship," according to a statement posted on the website of China's foreign ministry late Friday.

"(China is) ready to further promote our practical cooperation, effectively manage the sensitive issues between us and strengthen the friendship between the people of both countries," Xi told Rice.

In return, Rice told Xi that the U.S. is "willing to work with China to properly deal with differences," according to the statement.

Differences over the South China Sea -- where China's increasingly assertive military actions make its neighbors nervous -- as well as cybersecurity and human rights are expected to be high on the agenda when Obama meets Xi.

While the U.S. and China clash over the issues, they have been thriving to deepen cooperation in some security issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons program and Iran.

Rice's trip comes ahead of a massive military parade China plans to hold next week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The U.S. frowns on the parade, expected to serve as a Chinese show of force, and plans to have its ambassador to China attend the ceremony, instead of sending a high-level official from Washington.

Most Western leaders have shunned the parade to be held Thursday in Beijing, because it could send the wrong signal amid China's growing military assertiveness in Asia.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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