Chinese VP talks charity with Bill Gates

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Bill Gates at the Great Hall of the People, calling for closer cooperation between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its Chinese partners on medical care, agriculture and technology.

Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping talks to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 29, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi told Gates, co-chair of the foundation, that he appreciates the organization's enduring dedication to improving the health and living conditions of human beings.

He also applauded the foundation's commitment to eliminating poverty and preventing and treating diseases globally, as well as its cooperation with Chinese partners in areas including health care, agriculture and technology.

The Vice-President said he hopes that the foundation and its Chinese partners will effectively implement their cooperative projects and explore more means of cooperation.

The two sides should make full use of various resources and channels to play an active role in improving the medical situation in China and other developing countries in the world, according to Xi.

He added that the development of the partnership between China and the United States not only benefits the people of the two nations, but also helps to promote the peace and development of the world at large.

Gates agreed that the relationship is of great significance globally and that the foundation attaches importance to cooperation with China.

The foundation will work together with its Chinese partners to carry out the projects in China and contribute to disease prevention and control as well as health care, he promised.