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The United States and China “should be partners, not rivals.” Chinese President Xi Jinping said this to his US counterpart Donald Trump as he welcomed him to the Great Hall of the People. Xi also told Trump he was “happy” about the visit at a time when the world is at a “crossroads.”
The US president praised the “fantastic relationship” he has with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the opening bilateral greetings and said he has “great respect” for Xi and China, praising him as a “great leader”. Trump told Xi that the meeting is “an honor like few others I’ve ever had” and “we will have a fantastic future together.”
Xi Jinping has warned Trump that the US and China could “come into conflict” if the Taiwan issue is handled incorrectly. During the ongoing talks, Xi Jinping stressed that “the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations” and that “if handled correctly, relations between the two countries can maintain overall stability”, but “if not handled properly, the two countries could clash, pushing the entire Sino-American relationship into a very dangerous situation”.
The United States expressed “clear and unwavering support” for Taiwan. Taiwanese government spokeswoman Michelle Lee told reporters, as reported by Taiwanese media. “The US side has repeatedly reiterated its clear and unwavering support for Taiwan,” Lee said.
Xi Jinping said during the talks that he expects 2026 to be a “historic and turning point year” that will open a new chapter in relations between China and the United States, underlining that the two countries have more common interests than differences. The success of one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world, Xi added, stressing that China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals, and the two countries should help each other succeed and prosper together, and find the right way for great countries to get along in the new era. “I look forward to our discussions on the fundamental issues important to our two countries and the world, and to working together with you to chart the course and steer the giant ship of Sino-US relations, so as to make 2026 a historic and landmark year that opens a new chapter in Sino-US relations,” Xi said.
Economic ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, Chinese President Xi said. “Yesterday, our economic and trade teams achieved overall balanced and positive results. This is good news for the citizens of the two countries and the world,” Xi said. Facts have shown time and again that trade wars have no winners, he noted. “Where disagreements and friction exist, consultation on an equal footing is the only right choice,” Xi said, calling on the two sides to jointly sustain the good momentum they have worked hard to build.
China will “open up even more” to the world, Xi Jinping said. “China’s doors to the outside world will open more and more.” and “American companies will enjoy even brighter prospects in China,” Xi said.
The handshake
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands as the White House leader arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. After listening to the glorious anthems of both countries, the tycoon and Xi walked first in front of the military parade and then in front of hundreds of cheering children who waved the symbolic flowers of both countries. Together with the US President, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth and the CEOs of Silicon Valley, including Elon Musk. After the welcoming ceremony, Trump said he was “particularly touched by those children” who enthusiastically greeted him outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. “They were happy. They were beautiful,” Trump said. “Those kids were amazing and represent so much.”
Taiwan, China is the only risk to regional peace and stability
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said China posed the “only risk” to regional peace and stability, after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that the Taiwan issue could lead to conflict. “Beijing authorities currently pose the only risk to regional peace and stability,” the ministry said in a statement, pointing to China’s “military provocations” and activities in the gray zone around Taiwan and the region as evidence, and adding that “Beijing has no right to assert claims on Taiwan internationally.”