On November 6, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates of the United States (US).

Wang Yi expressed that Mr. Gates, an old friend of the Chinese people, has cared for and supported the development of China-US relations over the years, and played a constructive role in promoting cooperation between the two countries, for which the Chinese side appreciates. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, continue making use of the resources and advantages of both sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such aspects as poverty alleviation and reduction, disease prevention and control, as well as research and development of agricultural technology. The Chinese side is also willing to explore and expand trilateral cooperation in Africa with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to make new contributions to the realization of sustainable development in Africa and to the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang Yi pointed out that for China and the US, the two major countries, cooperation will deliver win-win results, whereas confrontation will end up with a loss for both sides. Against the current situation, both sides should meet each other halfway and commit to realizing the prospects of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, which is not only realistic and feasible as well as conducive to both sides, but will also benefit the international community. It is hoped that Mr. Gates and the far-sighted figures of the US side who understand China will play an active role in promoting sound and stable development of China-US relations.

Bill Gates noted that President Xi Jinping’s important speech at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo was encouraging. Mme. Peng Liyuan put forward very good opinions for our work during the meeting yesterday. I fully admire the great achievements China has made in its reform and opening up and highly appreciate China’s important contributions to the world in such areas as poverty reduction and health. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stands ready to give play to its expertise to enhance cooperation in such fields as agriculture, poverty reduction and health, actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and expand trilateral cooperation in Africa with the Chinese side. Mutual benefit and win-win results are the main melody of US-China relations. I am willing to play an active role in promoting US-China relations and boosting the friendship between the two peoples.