The U.S. national security adviser and Chinese leaders helped lay the groundwork on Friday for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit next month to Washington, with both sides expressing optimism despite differences between them.
While Susan Rice visits the Chinese capital, China is dealing with fallout from a sharply sliding stock market and slowing economic growth that have rattled global markets. A move to devalue the currency and make Chinese exports more competitive has brought criticism from some U.S. politicians, in a throwback to past years when Beijing was accused of manipulating its currency.
The economic setbacks are seen as weakening Mr. Xi’s clout as he prepares to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House in late September and address the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Ms. Rice met China’s top foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi, and was to meet later Mr. Xi at the Great Hall of the People. The White House has said talks were expected to focus on how to build a more productive relationship between the two countries, along with regional dynamics and global matters.
After meeting Mr. Yang, Rice said that the two sides over the past year have been able to “discuss frankly our differences,” and have made progress in areas ranging from climate change to tourist exchanges, the military relationship and cooperation on the Ebola virus. She said that both sides were looking forward to a successful meeting in Washington.
Mr. Yang said China was eager to ensure the trip is a “complete success.”
Ms. Rice met later with Fan Changlong, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi before heading into a meeting Mr. Xi.
While China’s more assertive foreign policy under Mr. Xi has raised concerns among U.S. military leaders and the two countries have been at odds over Internet security, Mr. Xi and Mr. Obama have forged a strong working relationship as a result of frequent meetings.
Mr. Xi hosted Mr. Obama in Beijing in November, during which the sides announced a landmark agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other moves to boost relations.
