In a phone conversation Sunday evening, China’s President Xi Jinping told U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that cooperation is the “only correct choice” for the two countries.

The interaction between the presidents of the world’s largest developing and developed economies occurred one week after the U.S. election. While congratulating Trump on his election win, President Xi also recalled the 37 years of China-U.S. diplomatic ties, which has brought about substantial benefits to the two countries.

During the call, Trump thanked Xi for his “well wishes and congratulations after winning a historic election,” according to a statement released by the Trump team. “During the call, the leaders established a clear sense of mutual respect for one another, and President-elect Trump states that he believes the two leaders will have one of the strongest relationships for both countries moving forward,” the team said.

As bilateral ties have continued to grow and develop, Xi underlined how there remain important opportunities and huge potential in cooperation between Beijing and Washington.

Although Trump voiced strong criticism of China during his election campaign, President Xi talked about the importance of relations with the U.S., saying that he “attaches great importance to China-U.S. relations,” and that China “is ready to work with the U.S. side to carry forward bilateral ties and to better benefit the two peoples and the rest of the world.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said China is willing to work with the Trump administration. Wang, who is in Turkey for the first meeting of the China-Turkey foreign ministers’ consultation, said on Sunday that China and the United States remain in frequent contact at various levels. He also noted that both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. agree that it’s important to improve and deepen relations with China.

Speaking after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Wang also said China will continue to work with the outgoing administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to ensure a smooth transition. He hopes to sustain the cooperation that has been in place with the current administration.

“We are willing to communicate with the Trump administration to better understand each other and expand our cooperation,” he said.

Story by CCTV News

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