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Xi speaks with Biden on phone

Xi speaks with Biden on phone

Steve Williams · Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 1:34PM · 668 views
Source:Xinhua 11-02-21 05:33 Updated BJT

BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday morning took a phone call from U.S. President Joseph R. Biden on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

The two presidents wished each other good fortune in the Year of the Ox, and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and major international and regional issues.

Biden conveyed festive greetings to the Chinese people and wished the Chinese people a happy and prosperous New Year. Xi congratulated Biden once again on taking office as U.S. president, and wished the people of China and the United States a happy and auspicious Year of the Ox.

Xi pointed out that the restoration and growth of China-U.S. relations has been the most important development in international relations over the past half century and more.

Despite various twists and difficulties, he added, the relationship has on the whole kept moving forward and delivered enormous benefits to the Chinese and American peoples and contributed to global peace, stability and prosperity.

Xi stressed that China and the United States both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation; cooperation is the only right choice for both sides.

When China and the United States work together, they can accomplish a great deal for the good of both countries and the world at large; confrontation between the two countries, however, will definitely be disastrous for both countries and the world, he added.

Emphasizing that the China-U.S. relationship is currently at an important juncture, Xi said it is the common desire of both peoples and the wider international community to see the sound and stable development of China-U.S. relations.

"You have said that America can be defined in one word: Possibilities. We hope the possibilities will now point toward an improvement of China-U.S. relations," Xi said to Biden.

The two countries, he suggested, should make joint efforts in the same direction, follow the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, focus on cooperation, manage their differences, and work for the sound and stable development of China-U.S. relations.

In this way, they can deliver more tangible benefits to people in both countries, and make their due contribution to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting world economic recovery and maintaining regional peace and stability, Xi added.

Xi emphasized that while the two sides may differ on some issues, it is crucial to show mutual respect, treat each other as equals, and properly manage and handle the differences in a constructive fashion.

The foreign affairs departments of the two countries may have in-depth communications on wide-ranging matters in the bilateral relationship and major international and regional issues, and the economic, financial, law enforcement and military authorities of the two countries may also have more contacts, Xi said.

The two sides should re-establish the various dialogue mechanisms, read each other's policy intentions accurately, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, he said, adding that it is important to manage differences where they exist and jointly pursue cooperation where it is desirable to do so.

The Taiwan question and issues relating to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, etc. are China's internal affairs and concern China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the U.S. side should respect China's core interests and act prudently, Xi stressed.

Xi emphasized that confronting a highly uncertain international situation, China and the United States shoulder special international responsibilities and obligations as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The two sides, he added, should act to conform to the trend of the world, jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and make historic contributions to promoting world peace and development.

Biden, for his part, noted that China has a long history and a great culture and the Chinese people are a great people.

The United States and China must avoid conflict and they may work together on climate change and many other issues, he added.

The U.S. side, he said, is prepared to have candid and constructive dialogue with the Chinese side in the spirit of mutual respect and to improve mutual understanding and avoid miscommunication and miscalculation.

The two presidents agreed that their phone conversation today will send a positive signal to the world and the two sides will maintain close communication on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual interest.

Editor: Zhang Jianfeng
ChinaU.S.Chinese-New-year

https://english.cctv.com/2021/02/11/ARTIvM...

About the Author

Steve Williams Coatesville, PA

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Comments (8)

Steve Williams Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 1:47PM

Compare the "readout" we get from our own harebrained media.

Dea. Ron Gray Sr. Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 3:52PM

That's Good because 2020 was known as "The Year of The RAT."



Steve Williams Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 4:05PM

It was known as Gengzi Nian.

Dea. Ron Gray Sr. Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 5:10PM

Thank You for the translation of "The Year of The RAT."



Steve Williams Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 7:30PM

The Chinese agricultural (lunar) calendar is based on a 60 year cycle and the years are each identified by a combination of a heavenly stem and an earthly branch. There are 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches. The heavenly stem for this soon-to-be last year is "geng" 庚 and the earthly branch is "zi" 子, standing for "rat". The full name for this New Year (the 38th of the 60 year cycle), starting tonight at 11, is 辛丑 "xinchou", 丑 standing for "ox". Tomorrow at class I'll find out why they say Year of the Rat and Year of the Ox instead of Gengzi and Xinchou. According to the Chinese the first month, 正月 (zheng yue), marks the start of Spring.

Dea. Ron Gray Sr. Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 8:05PM

Here's what I found out on that subject Steve, maybe this can help you out on your journey.

Why The Rat Comes First?

As is known to all, the rat is one of the nasty species because it is dirty and tricky, provoking widespread indignation and discontent. But why does the rat rank top in Chinese Zodiac? This is indeed inconceivable. Is there really a "story"?

A long, long time ago, Nu Wa returned to the Heavenly Palace after creating human beings. Under the instruction of the Emperor of Heaven, she was ordered to repair the hole in the sky at all costs. Nu Wa tempered a colorful stone to repair the hole and she used the four legs of the earth turtle to hold up the sky, however leading to the earthquake, land collapse, flooding and more sea area; the mortal world faced an unprecedented disaster.

In order to prevent the human extinction from flood, the Emperor of Heaven ordered the Water God to prevent flood. The disaster was alleviated with the great efforts of the Water God, but it wasn't completely quelled due to the shortage of manpower! At this moment, the Water God thought of all the animals living on the land, but they had already fled into the mountains. How to find them? The Water God was too busy to leave his work, so he arranged his assistant Yu to find the animals.

Yu was burning with anxiety: ''all the animals have fled into the mountains; where can I find them?'' When he was hesitant, he found a rat fleeing in panic and he was pleased.

The rat was the only animal he could find at present. Although it was disgusting, it was the only animal which could provide help, so Yu caught the rat quickly.

After communication, the rat found the human was not malicious and it accepted the task of looking for other animals. Together with its companions and relying on its congenital advantage, the rat found the animals hidden in the mountains and persuaded the tiger, the king of the animals, to take the animals out of the mountains and control the water with human beings. Then, humans and animals cooperated together and controlled the flood under the guidance of the Water God.

To commemorate the deed, the Emperor of Heaven conferred 12 Chinese Zodiac Gods and all the animals participated in the water control had the opportunity; the first 12 animals arriving at the altar would be the Zodiac Gods, of course, including the rat.

On the night before the event, the rat hid under the ox horn because it knew that the ox was the most diligent and enduring animal; as long as the rat became the God, it would stand proudly in the animals! As expected, the diligent and honest ox came first to the altar; at this moment, the rat hidden under the horn jumped off onto the altar and became the top of all zodiac signs.

The human beings were unhappy about the result because they thought the rat was harmful despite its merits; besides, it played tricks.

However, the Emperor of Heaven was resolute for the result and the fact couldn't be changed because playing tricks was also a kind of wisdom! In this way, the rat became the top of all zodiac signs.

Steve Williams Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 8:43PM

Very interesting Ron, thanks. I can't say I know much about the Zodiac but I do like calendars. If you have an iPhone and are interested in any of the Chinese practices that use the lunar calendar you can set your phone to display the lunar date on your splash screen and in the Calendar app.

Dea. Ron Gray Sr. Thursday, February 11th 2021 at 8:44PM

OK!

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