U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter Wednesday to Chinese President Xi Jinping. He wrote that he is looking forward to working with Xi to “develop a constructive relationship” that benefits both countries, the White House said in a statement. The letter also thanked Xi for his note of congratulations on Trump’s inauguration. It also wished the Chinese people a happy Lantern Festival and a successful Year of the Rooster. China’s Lantern Festival takes place this Saturday, February 11. The Lunar New Year was January 28. China praised Trump’s letter on Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China “highly commended” Trump for the letter to Xi. Lu also dismissed suggestions that China had expected contact from Trump sooner. “It is known to all that since President Trump took office, China and the U.S. have been in close contact,” Lu said. Trump and Xi have not spoken directly since Trump took office last month. They did, however, talk on the phone soon after Trump won the presidential election in November.
