Xi hopes for 'enduring friendship' between China and US

China's President Xi Jinping on Friday told Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates that the foundation of China-U.S. relations lies with the people, and that he hopes for an enduring friendship, state media reported.

In a meeting on Friday, Xi called Gates the first "U.S. friend" he met in Beijing this year, adding that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the People's Daily reported.