China, US Should Be Partners, Not Rivals, Xi Says Ahead of Trump Talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated upon arriving in Washington that China and the US ought to be "partners, not rivals," and he conveyed optimism that both nations can discover a path to coexist in this new era.
In an uncommon show of friendliness, US President Donald Trump and his spouse, Melania Trump, welcomed Xi and his partner, Peng Liyuan, upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday.
Trump greeted Xi at the airport while the US Air Force band paraded on the tarmac and both the US and Chinese flags waved.
In a written address upon arrival, Xi conveyed heartfelt greetings and good wishes to the American people on behalf of the Chinese populace, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Xi stated that China and the US are "both remarkable nations, and their populations are remarkable too," noting that the two nations have sustained amicable interactions over time and that their interests are profoundly connected.
He stated that China and the US "ought to be allies, not competitors," emphasizing that the revitalization of the Chinese nation and America's resurgence can coexist, and that both nations can assist each other in achieving success and promoting the welfare of the entire globe.
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This marks Xi's initial visit to Washington since 2015. Trade tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, military relations, tensions in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the space arms race, and US arms sales to Taiwan are anticipated to be key topics in discussions between Xi and Trump.
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Xi stated that he and Trump concurred on fostering a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability during Trump's trip to China in May, which has offered strategic direction for the future evolution of bilateral relations.
This marks the first occasion since 1962 that a US president has personally greeted a foreign leader at the base, indicating the significance Trump is placing on this visit.
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In 1962, President John F Kennedy welcomed British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.
Xi stated that China and the US ought to align their efforts, fostering a stable relationship anchored in cooperation, tempered competition, manageable differences, and commitments to peace.