On the 14th, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need for cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals." Trump responded by praising Xi as a "great leader" and said "China-U.S. relations will become the best in history."
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the two leaders said this during a summit that began at 10:26 a.m. after an official welcome ceremony at 10 a.m. (local time) at the east gate square of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
In opening remarks, Xi welcomed Trump's first visit to China in nine years and said, "The world is accelerating into a great transformation unseen in a century, and the international landscape is also marked by crosscurrents of change and turbulence. The world stands at a new crossroads."
He continued, "Whether China and the United States can overcome the so‑called 'Thucydides Trap,' whether we can open a new type of great‑power relations, whether we can jointly respond to global challenges and bring more stability to the world, whether we can advance the well‑being of the two peoples and the shared future of humanity together and jointly open a bright future for bilateral ties — all of these are questions posed by history, the world, and the people," adding, "They are also the answers of our era that the two of us, as leaders of great powers, must write together."
The Thucydides Trap Xi mentioned refers to a situation in which, as an emerging great power rises and threatens the status of an established hegemon, the two countries enter intense tension and conflict.
Congratulating the United States on the 250th anniversary of independence, Xi said, "The common interests between China and the United States outweigh the differences. Each side's success is an opportunity for the other, and the stability of China-U.S. relations is a positive for the world," adding, "If our two countries cooperate, both benefit; if we confront each other, both are hurt. We should be partners, not rivals, help each other succeed, and achieve shared prosperity."
Trump said, "We have been together for a very long time. In fact, we could say the two of us have built the longest-lasting personal relationship of any heads of state in the history of our two countries. A great honor," adding, "I think our relationship is very good. And whatever difficulties or setbacks there have been, we have always been able to resolve them."
He continued, "I can call President Xi, and President Xi can call me. When problems arise, we can find solutions very quickly through communication," adding, "There is a very fine future between us."
Trump said, "President Xi is a great leader. I have always said President Xi is a great leader," adding, "And the delegation I lead is composed of the world's top business leaders. All 30 corporations wanted to come, and the chief executives all came in person. This shows respect for China and for President Xi."
He added, "They, too, look forward to trade and commercial cooperation," and said, "I am very much looking forward to our discussions today. This visit is more important than any other."