BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that he expects 2026 to be a "historic, landmark year" that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations.
China and the United States have more common interests than differences, Xi said when holding talks with visiting US President Donald Trump in Beijing.
Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world, he added.
Noting that China and the US should be partners instead of rivals, Xi said the two countries should help each other succeed and prosper together, and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era.
“I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world, and working together with you to set the course and steer the giant ship of China-US relations, so as to make 2026 a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations," said the Chinese leader.
China and the US must jointly answer the questions of our times, he said.
Transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent, he said, stressing that the world has come to another crossroads.
"Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world? Can we build a bright future together for our bilateral relations in the interest of the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity? These are the questions vital to history, to the world and to the people," said Xi.
"They are the questions of our times that the leaders of major countries need to answer together," he said.
Safeguarding peace across Taiwan Strait
Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the US, said the Chinese president.
Noting that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations, he told Trump that 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, he said, emphasizing that "Taiwan independence" and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water.
Sino-US economic ties mutually beneficial
China-US economic ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, he said. “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.”
Facts have shown time and again that trade wars have no winner, noted Xi.
"Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice," he said, calling on the two sides to jointly sustain the good momentum that they have worked hard to create.
Trump calls Xi a great leader
In his opening remarks during the talks with President Xi, Trump said he looks forward to a "big discussion" with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"There are those who say this is maybe the biggest summit ever," he added.
"When there were difficulties, we worked it out," he said. "We're going to have a fantastic future together."
The US president, who is on a three-day state visit to China, repeatedly called Xi a great leader.
He also highlighted the high-level American business delegation accompanying him, describing their presence as a gesture of respect toward China and its leader.
"They look forward to trade and doing business," he said.
"It's an honor to be your friend and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," he said.
Earlier in the morning, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing for the US leader.
The US leader is on a state visit to China from May 13 to 15. This is the first US presidential visit to China in the past nine years and Trump's second since November 2017.
