Xi-Trump meeting to chart course for ties, senior diplomat says

President Xi Jinping and his United States counterpart Donald Trump "will chart the course and map out plans" for bilateral ties at their first meeting next week, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Friday.

Xi and Trump, having held two phone conversations, will meet at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Thursday and Friday.

Zheng Zeguang, Vice-Foreign Minister, told a media briefing in Beijing that during their meeting the two leaders will embark on an in-depth exchange of views on China-US ties and major international and regional issues of common concern.

The meeting, their first after the new US administration took office earlier this year, is "of great significance" for the healthy and stable development of ties as well as the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Zheng added.

Also, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will attend a welcome banquet hosted by Trump and his wife Melania, according to Zheng.

The two countries should stay true to the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect, cooperation and win-win, and "push for the greater development of China-US ties on a new starting point", Zheng said.

Prior to his US trip, Xi will pay a state visit to Finland from Tuesday to Thursday, and this will be Xi's first visit to northern Europe as president.

Wang Chao, Vice-Foreign Minister, told the Friday briefing that Xi will attend a welcome ceremony, hold talks with his Finland counterpart, attend a signing ceremony of cooperative documents, hold a joint press conference and attend a welcome dinner banquet.

The two countries share a great deal of common ground between their respective development strategies, and they "enjoy huge potential for cooperation", Wang said.

The visit will promote not only two-way relations but also China's cooperation with northern Europe, Wang said.