US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping At a high-stakes meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, both leaders emphasized cooperation over confrontation, despite tensions over trade, technology and regional security.Xi Jinping rolls out the red carpet and dispatches a guard of honor for U.S. President Donald Trump.Follow the real-time updates of Trump’s visit to ChinaThe meeting was Trump’s first trip to China in his second term and attracted global attention as both countries try to reset ties between the world’s two largest economies.At the start of the talks, Trump praised the reception he and the U.S. delegation had received, calling it an “unprecedented honor.”“Well, President Xi, I thank you very much. First of all, this is an unprecedented honor,” Trump said.Trump also praised the Chinese military and said he was deeply impressed by the children who attended the welcome ceremony.“I think I was particularly impressed by those kids. They were happy. They were beautiful. The military was obvious. It couldn’t have been better. But these kids were amazing and they represented so much,” he said.Xi Jinping said in his opening speech that the whole world is paying close attention to this meeting and regards this meeting as a decisive moment for future global stability.“Welcome back to China after 9 years. The whole world is paying attention to our meeting. Currently, major global changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the international situation is changing, and the world has reached a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm for major power relations?…”Xi Jinping also called on Beijing and Washington to strengthen cooperation and warned the two countries not to compete with each other.He said: “Can we jointly respond to global challenges and bring more stability to the world? Can we proceed from the well-being of the two peoples and the future of mankind to jointly build a better future for bilateral relations? This is an issue of vital importance to history, the world, and the people.” This is a question of the times that you and I, as leaders of major countries, need to answer… I have always believed that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one aspect is an opportunity in another. Stable bilateral relations are beneficial to the world. China and the United States will both benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not competitors. We should work together to achieve common prosperity and find the right way for major countries to get along with each other in the new era…”The Chinese president further expressed hope that the talks would open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.Mr. President, I look forward to discussing with you major issues concerning our two countries and the world, and jointly pointing out the direction and steering the wheel of Sino-US relations, making 2026 a year of historic significance and opening a new chapter in Sino-US relations.Trump, meanwhile, emphasized his long-standing personal relationship with Xi Jinping and said the two leaders had always been able to resolve their differences directly.The great supreme leader said: “You and I have known each other for a long time now. In fact, this is the longest relationship between presidents and presidents of our two countries. For me, it is an honor. Our relationship is very good. We get along very well. When difficulties arise, we solve them.” I’ll call you and you’ll call me. Whenever we encounter a problem, we will solve it quickly and we will have a bright future together...”Trump praised Xi Jinping’s leadership, adding, “Respect to China, to the job you’ve done. You’re a great leader. I say that to everybody.”Trump also pointed to the inclusion of top U.S. business leaders in his delegation and said they were eager to expand trade ties with China.“We have the greatest businessmen in the world, the biggest and I think the best in the world. We have great people and they are all with me,” he said.Trump said the summit could be historic, “Some people say this could be the biggest summit ever. They can never remember anything like it.”At the end of his speech, Trump said, “It is an honor to be your friend. Sino-US relations will be better than ever.”Earlier, Trump was formally welcomed by Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two leaders shook hands warmly before Trump met with members of Xi’s cabinet before a closed-door discussion.
