Xi urges partnership over rivalry with the US before Trump talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted upon arriving in Washington that China and the US should be “partners, not rivals,” expressing confidence that the two nations can find a way to coexist in the new era. In an uncommon display of diplomacy, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi Jinping and his spouse, Peng Liyuan, upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday. Trump greeted Xi at the airport as the US Air Force band paraded on the tarmac, with the flags of the US and China prominently displayed. In a written address upon arrival, Xi conveyed heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the American populace on behalf of the Chinese citizenry, as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency. China and the US are “both great countries, and their peoples are great as well,” Xi stated, noting that the two peoples have sustained friendly exchanges over an extended period and that their interests are profoundly interconnected.
China and the US “should be partners, not rivals,” he stated, emphasising that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the aspiration to make America great again can coexist, suggesting that both nations can mutually benefit and contribute to the overall welfare of the global community. This marks Xi’s inaugural visit to Washington since 2015. Trade tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, military ties, conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, the arms race in space, and US arms sales to Taiwan are anticipated to be prominent topics in discussions between Xi and Trump. Xi stated that he and Trump reached an agreement to foster a constructive China-US relationship characterised by strategic stability during Trump’s visit 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 welcomed a foreign leader at the base, underscoring the significance that Trump attributes to this visit.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy welcomed British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. China and the US ought to align their efforts, fostering a stable relationship characterised by cooperation as the cornerstone, tempered competition, manageable differences, and commitments to peace, Xi stated. He stated that China and the US, as two significant nations, ought to identify an appropriate method for coexistence in the contemporary era. He stated that the world is evolving and circumstances are shifting, yet the historical rationale for peaceful coexistence between China and the United States remains unchanged, the goodwill stemming from amicable interactions between the two nations persists, and the overarching expectations of the international community regarding China and the US continue to be consistent. Xi expressed anticipation for comprehensive discussions with Trump regarding significant matters related to bilateral relations and global circumstances, with the aim of continually enhancing the essence of the constructive China-US relationship characterised by strategic stability, while also broadening the avenues for dialogue and collaboration across diverse sectors between the two nations.
Xi expressed his anticipation for extensive engagement with individuals from diverse backgrounds in the United States to foster deeper friendships. Through collaborative endeavours, Xi expressed confidence that the visit will yield positive outcomes, improving the welfare of both nations’ populations and fostering optimism for global peace. The Chinese delegation includes Cai Qi, who serves as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and as the director of the General Office of the Central Committee, alongside Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
