China’s leader, Xi Jinping has said that he and President Donald Trump agreed to establish a new orientation for U.S.-China relations that is “constructive, strategic and stable.”
Xi said that the bilateral relationship should take this direction for the next three years and beyond, adding that this new strategic orientation should have “limits to competition” and “differences are managed.” The Chinese leader noted that both sides should use political, diplomatic and military communication channels to ensure the goals.
This came as the pair met for about two hours behind closed doors at the Great Hall of the People and discussed trade and other issues.
The meeting followed a sweeping greeting for Trump that featuring booming cannons and a band playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and China’s national anthem. School children in bright colors offered a welcome routine, jumping as the girls waved flowers and the boys hoisted American and Chinese flags while the two leaders walked past them.
According to the Chinese official news agency, Xi Jinping told Donald Trump during their talks that economic ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. “Yesterday, our economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes. This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world,” Xi said.
The Chinese President said that facts have shown time and again there are no winners in trade wars, calling on both sides to jointly sustain the good momentum they have worked hard to build. “Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice,” he said.
In his opening comments before reporters to start the meeting, Trump only made glancing allusion to past difficulties in his yearslong relationship with Xi. Those include two trade wars, tensions over U.S. support for Taiwan — and Trump’s impatience with Beijing over the flow precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl.
Trump also made no mention of their differences over the Iran war. “You’re a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true,” Trump said.
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”
Donald Trump
The Chinese leader in his opening remarks to start the meeting underscored the importance of the moment for the two world powers. He said the question before China and the United States is “whether the two countries can work together to meet challenges and bring greater stability to the world.” “Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations?” Xi said.
Xi Warns About Taiwan
According to a readout posted on X by Chinese foreign ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning, Xi told Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.
If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.
In his opening remarks, Xi expressed hope that the U.S. and China can avoid conflict while saying that history and the world were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations between major powers.”
China’s leader used a term popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea that when a rising power threatens to displace an established power, the result is often war.
“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”
Xi Jinping
The U.S President and Xi subsequently visited the Temple of Heaven, a religious complex dating to the 15th century, and Trump was later set to attend a state banquet with Xi.
Meanwhile, Taiwan said that it is grateful for the long-term support of the United States after Xi warned Trump about potential “clashes and even conflicts” over the self-ruled island China claims as its own.
Michelle Lee, a Spokesperson for Taiwan’s Premier stated that the government views all actions that contribute to regional stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian expansion positively and continues to work with the United States in various aspects of our relationship. Lee added that Taiwan has stayed in close contact with the U.S. on national security and diplomacy.
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