Xi and Obama exchange views on visit, Iranian nuclear deal over phone

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama exchanged views Tuesday on Xi's upcoming US visit and the newly-reached Iranian nuclear agreement in a telephone conversation.

The development of China-US relations has maintained a good momentum at present, said Xi, adding that the two sides have kept close contact with each other, steadily promoted their pragmatic cooperation in all fields and maintained close communication and coodination on major international, regional and global issues.

Acknowledging the significant outcomes of the 7th US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the 6th US-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange that concluded in June, Xi said he hopes to further promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples during his September visit to the United States.

For his part, Obama said that he and the American people are looking forward to Xi's state visit in September.

The United States and China will engage in close consultation to make sure the visit is fruitful, Obama said.

During a February 11 phone talk, Xi accepted invitation by Obama to conduct a state visit in September to the United States, his first since assuming the presidency in March, 2013.

As for the Iranian nuclear deal, Xi told Obama that China will continue constructive cooperation with all parties -- including the United States -- to ensure the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and the following UN resolution.

"China and the United States have maintained close communication and coordination throughout the negotiation process, which is yet another sign showing the two countries' commitment to building a new model of major country relations," said Xi.

Obama said that China has played a vital role during the Iran nuclear talks that resulted in a comprehensive agreement, expressing gratitude for China's contribution to the historic deal.

"The US hopes to continue coordination and cooperation with China and make joint efforts to ensure the implementation of the agreement," Obama said, adding that the US-China cooperation on Iran's nuclear issue shows the two sides can address global challenges such as climate change, economic development, and public health through mutual cooperation and joint effort.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 group -- namely the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia plus Germany -- reached a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear program in Vienna, Austria that will cap the Islamic Republic's nuclear capacity in exchange for sanctions relief from the West.