By Michael Martina and Eric M. Johnson
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping, facing a sceptical audience on the first day of his week-long visit to the United States, sought to reassure business and government officials over a long list of irritants between the countries, from economic reform to cyber attacks, to human rights and commercial theft.
Delivering a keynote address to some 650 business executives and other guests in Seattle, Xi touched on a litany of issues that have strained U.S.-China ties.
China will not manipulate its currency to boost exports and will never engage in commercial theft, he said, adding it will not discriminate against foreign businesses, will speed its market opening and will make efforts to improve human rights.
"If China and the U.S. cooperate well, they can become a bedrock of global stability...," Xi said. "Should they enter into conflict or confrontation, it would lead to disaster for both countries and the world at large."
Despite his reassuring comments, however, Xi faces questions about actual government policies. He will likely be pressed for specifics as he meets this week with tech and other top business leaders before attending a black-tie state dinner at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama.
Xi completes his U.S. visit with an address at the United Nations.
(Additional reporting by Alwyn Scott, David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick; Writing by Ken Wills; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
