Beijing (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for China and the United States to act as “partners, not rivals” as high-level talks with US President Donald Trump began in Beijing on Thursday.
The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People, where Xi welcomed Trump with a handshake. The US president was also greeted by senior Chinese officials, while members of both delegations were present, including top American cabinet members.
A formal welcome ceremony included military honours, national anthems, and a cultural reception, with schoolchildren waving Chinese and US flags chanting greetings as the leaders entered the venue.
During their meeting, Trump praised Xi as a “great leader” and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries, saying the US–China relationship could improve significantly.
Xi, meanwhile, reiterated that a stable relationship between Beijing and Washington is beneficial to the world. He said cooperation brings mutual gains, while confrontation harms both sides, stressing again that the two countries should remain partners rather than competitors.
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However, Xi also warned that the Taiwan issue remains highly sensitive. He said that if it is not handled properly, it could lead to serious tensions or even direct conflict between the two countries, according to Chinese state media.
The two-day summit is expected to cover a wide range of issues, including trade relations, tariffs, technology competition, rare earth exports, and regional security concerns.
The long-running trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies remains central, with both sides previously imposing tariffs exceeding 100 percent in a prolonged economic confrontation. Leaders are expected to discuss extending a temporary tariff truce agreed during their last meeting.
Taiwan is also expected to be a key point of discussion, alongside US arms sales to the self-governing island that China claims as its territory.
Other topics include competition in artificial intelligence, export controls on critical materials, and broader geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing Iran conflict.
Trump’s delegation includes several major business figures, reflecting a strong focus on economic deals during the visit. The US president has said he hopes to secure greater access for American companies in China’s market, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, aviation, and energy.
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China has also shown early signs of easing trade tensions, including renewing export licences for hundreds of US beef processing plants. a move seen as a possible goodwill gesture ahead of broader negotiations.
