Xi Jinping Welcomes Bill Gates as "Old Friend"

Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft (MS), who visited China on the 16th, saying he was "the first American friend I have met in Beijing this year," according to China Central Television (CCTV).

On the same day, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, President Xi told Gates, "I am very pleased to meet you. We have not met for more than three years." He added, "China hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation," and said, "You have participated in China's development efforts and done many good things; you are our long-time friend."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

President Xi also expressed his commitment to Sino-American friendship. He said, "I often say that the foundation of China-US relations lies with the peoples of both countries," and explained, "China has always placed hope in the American people and hopes for continuous friendship between the peoples of the two countries." He further stated, "China will not follow the old ways of great powers pursuing hegemony and will cooperate with other countries to achieve common development."

At the event, Gates said, "I am very honored to have the opportunity to meet. We have always had good conversations, and there are many important agendas to discuss today." He continued, "China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in poverty alleviation and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a good example for the world."

President Xi and Gates met for the first time in eight years since the Boao Forum for Asia held in Hainan Province in 2015, often called the "Chinese Davos Forum." In early 2020, President Xi sent a letter of thanks to Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their support, including a $5 million (approximately 640 million KRW) donation to China's fight against COVID-19.

The day before, Gates gave a speech at the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI) in Beijing, a leading Chinese messenger RNA (mRNA) research institution, and pledged to donate $50 million over five years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.