Chinese leader Xi Jinping said today he's looking forward to his first visit to the US as president and expects it to deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries.
In an address at a China-US business leaders' dialogue in Beijing, Xi also said he is looking forward to having "broad contact with Americans from all walks of life."
Xi departs next week for a trip to Seattle, Washington DC and New York, with talks planned with President Barack Obama on September 25. They are expected to discuss trade, North Korea's nuclear program and Iran, among other issues.
The two sides are not expected to make major breakthroughs on some of the thorniest issues between them, including allegations of Beijing-directed cyberattacks on the US and China's moves to assert territorial claims in the South China Sea.
But there may be conciliatory gestures such as restarting dialogue on cybersecurity and a pact on avoiding unintended incidents between military aircraft.
