Senior Chinese diplomat meets California governor

BEIJING, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met with Gavin Newsom, governor of the U.S. state of California, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said California has maintained friendly and cooperative relations with China for a long time. Newsom's visit to China can be described as an ice-breaking trip to consolidate the foundation, sow hope, and open up the future.

"Time and facts will prove that this visit is in line with the wishes of California people, the interests of the U.S. people, and the expectations of the international community," said Wang.

Wang said the interests of China and the United States are closely intertwined. It is hoped that California will continue to take the lead in sub-national cooperation between China and the United States and play a constructive role in promoting the United States to view China's development and revitalization in an objective and friendly way and return to a rational and pragmatic policy toward China.

Newsom said his trip to China is for peace, cooperation, and friendship. As the first U.S. governor to visit China in the last four years, he hopes this trip will open a new chapter for sub-national exchanges and cooperation between the United States and China.

No matter how the situation changes, California will continue to be a reliable partner of China and stands ready to strengthen cooperation in climate change, innovation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and other fields to promote mutual development and prosperity, Newsom added.