Sino-US relations lie in the people, Xi tells Gates
President Xi Jinping told his "old friend" Bill Gates on Friday that China has always placed its hopes in the American people. Gates, one of the world's richest men, is the latest in a string of Western business leaders to visit China since the country lifted Covid curbs. "You are the first American friend I have met in Beijing this year," Xi told Gates, who he called an old friend, in a meeting at Diaoyutai guesthouse. “I believe that the foundation of Sino-US relations lies in the people. “Under the current world situation, we can carry out various activities that benefit our two countries, the people of our countries, and the entire human race.” Gates told Xi that he was “very honoured” to meet with the president. "We've always had great conversations and we'll have a lot of important topics to discuss today," he said. "I was very disappointed I couldn't come during these last four years, and so it's very exciting to be back." Xi said China is first and foremost focused on solving its own problems. He said China will consolidate its achievements in poverty alleviation, realise rural revitalisation and improve rural health. The president added China does not seek hegemony but will work with other countries to achieve common development. The visit is Gates' first to China in four years. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Thursday that it would give US$50 million to support Chinese efforts to fight malaria and tuberculosis. The meeting between Xi and Gates comes ahead of an expected visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday. "China will state its position and concerns on China-US relations and resolutely safeguard its interests," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing on Friday. (Agencies)