Beijing: China on Wednesday announced its warm welcome to US President Donald Trump's state visit, expressing the country's expectation for "respect and equality" in bilateral relations to promote "more stability and certainty to the world."

According to Anadolu Agency, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, highlighted the significance of heads-of-state diplomacy in providing strategic guidance for China-US relations. Guo emphasized that China "welcomes President Trump's state visit to China," and mentioned that during the visit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss major issues concerning China-US relations, as well as world peace and development.

Guo further stated that both countries will proceed in a spirit of respect, equality, and mutual benefits, aiming to contribute more stability and certainty to the international community. This visit marks the first by a sitting American president to China in nearly nine years and is set to cover critical topics such as the Middle East conflict, Taiwan, trade, tariffs, and high-tech industries.

The visit will see Trump accompanied by numerous CEOs, although First Lady Melania Trump will not be joining him. President Trump previously mentioned his intention to make a "very first request" to President Xi to "open up" China to American business, expressing his belief in the mutual benefits such a move could bring to both nations.