Without referring to Trump directly, Xi spoke of his hope for a "smooth transition" in a relationship that Obama described as "the most consequential in the world." The White House, surprised by Trump's lack of details on the issues, has urged world leaders to give Trump time to get his feet under the desk. Xi -- who the White House sees as perhaps the most powerful Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping or even Mao Zedong -- said he wanted to see cooperation continue. Obama said he wanted to "take this opportunity to note our work together to build a more durable and productive set of bilateral ties." Pyongyang has launched multiple tests to develop a miniaturized nuclear warhead and a missile capable of delivering that deadly payload to the United States, alarming the White House.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 20, 2016 01:25 UTC