On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian people as you celebrate your national independence on October 1.

The United States and Nigeria have a strong and enduring partnership that benefits both our nations. The U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on our shared priorities of security, economic prosperity, and good governance; and is strengthened by innovation, trade, and optimism for the future. The United States reaffirms its commitment to support Nigeria in its fight to defeat Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, to support efforts to help rebuild the lives of the millions affected by the violence, and to provide a better future for all Nigerians.

We offer our best wishes to the people of Nigeria in your commemoration of the 57th anniversary of your independence.

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FOREIGN MINISTER WANG: (In Chinese.)

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Foreign Minister, and thank you for accommodating the changing schedule, and my apologies for the trouble. But it is an indication of, I think, the importance that we both place on this relationship, and I appreciate you receiving my delegation so we can have a further exchange on a number of issues important to both of us, but in particular to begin important work to prepare for the upcoming visit of President Trump to China, which he is looking forward to as well. And so, again, thank you for receiving us, and I hope these talks will be very fruitful for both of us. Thank you.

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Please pass my best wishes and those of the American people to the people of Cyprus as you celebrate the 57th anniversary of your independence.

Cyprus is a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and the proliferation of dangerous weapons, as well as strengthening stability and democracy in a volatile region. Together, we are doing important work to enhance border security and maritime safety, promote bilateral trade and investment, and protect antiquities.

As Cyprus marks this anniversary, we also encourage the continuation of your efforts for the reunification of the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation for the benefit of all Cypriots.

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STATE COUNCILOR YANG: (Via interpreter) Honorable Mr. Secretary, Secretary Tillerson, it is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you back to Beijing. And it is a great pleasure to see you in Beijing again. Over the recent period, we have remained very close contacts. When I had a stopover in Washington during my trip to Latin America in mid-September, I had good discussions with you about President Trump’s state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. I’ve noticed that you are making this particular trip to Beijing to further communicate and compare notes with the Chinese side about President Trump’s visit. This fully shows the strong commitment of the American side and, Mr. Secretary, you yourself to China-U.S. relationship. I greatly appreciate your effort.

Our two sides both believe that sustained and (inaudible) development in China-U.S. relationship holds great importance for our two countries and the world as a whole. President Trump’s visit is of great importance to China-U.S. relationship as it moves forward to the future. Our two sides need to step up communication and coordination and make good preparation to ensure a smooth and successful visit with (inaudible) outcomes. The Chinese side is ready to work with the American colleagues to fully implement the important consensus reached between our two presidents and focused on the preparations for President Trump’s visit to China. Let us concentrate on cooperation and properly manage our differences in a spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit so that we could keep moving China-U.S. relationship forward in the right direction. President Xi attaches great importance to this visit of yours to China, Mr. Secretary, and he has spared up time where he – when he will be meeting with you later on at this meeting. Thank you.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you very much, State Councilor Yang, for the warm welcome and for receiving my delegation. We look forward to continuing our discussion around the preparation for President Trump’s visit at the invitation of President Xi. Our four major dialogues, I think, provide a very good framework for a comprehensive discussion of many important issues, and these dialogues are results-based, as was agreed by our two leaders at the first summit in Mar-a-Lago. So there will be an opportunity, I think, to judge our progress in those dialogues and to advance further our understanding around a number of mutually important issues. Our two presidents have developed a very regular and close working relationship, and I know President Trump is very much looking forward to the upcoming summit, as is everyone on his team. So thank you for this opportunity to continue the preparations and for exchange on other important issues. Thank you.

STATE COUNCILOR YANG: Thank you.

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PRESIDENT XI: (Via interpreter) Secretary Tillerson, it is indeed a great pleasure for me to meet with you here. I understand that you have traveled a long way to arrive in Beijing and, immediately after getting out of your plane, you have entered into busy working sessions with your Chinese counterparts. And I’ve been briefed that you have just had very good discussions. Since taking office as the Secretary of State, you’ve been placing tremendous importance on China-U.S. relationship and you have played a positive role in advancing the growth of China-U.S. relations. And we would like to express our appreciation for what you have done.

Right now for China-U.S. relationship, the most important agenda is the visit to China by President Trump in November. Well, on top of the two meetings between President Trump and I at Mar-a-Lago and also in Hamburg, Germany, we’ve also exchanged letters and telephone conversations on multiple occasions. I’ve enjoyed each and every one of those engagement, and we have made concerted efforts to push for the growth of China-U.S. relationship. And the two of us have also maintained a very good working relationship and personal friendship. I believe that President Trump’s upcoming visit to China means (inaudible) opportunity for the furtherance of China-U.S. relationship, and I hope the teams on both sides will make full preparation for this important event. And I believe his visit will be special, wonderful, and successful.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, for giving us this time for my delegation to call on you. President Trump is looking forward with great anticipation to the summit here in Beijing, as is the first lady, Melania Trump. And our teams have had very good discussions today to move forward on the preparations for this very important visit; had very good discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, State Councilor Yang, and I think the details of the visit are coming together quite nicely. And we appreciate all the preparation and the efforts being taken by the Chinese side. As you have noted, this is a relationship that continues to grow and mature on the strength of the relationship between yourself and President Trump, and we look forward to advancing that relationship with this upcoming summit. Thank you.

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