Updated

Washington, 24 Sept 2026 (Xinhua News)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger communication, expanded cooperation and peaceful coexistence between China and the United States, saying the two major countries should work together to promote stability and development.

Speaking at his arrival ceremony at the White House during his state visit to the United States, Xi thanked President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their hospitality and extended greetings to the American people on behalf of China. He also congratulated the United States on its 250th anniversary of independence.

Xi said China and the United States, despite differences in their national conditions, have deeply interconnected interests and share an important responsibility in addressing global challenges. He recalled that he and Trump had agreed during the US president’s visit to China to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability.

Xi outlined three broad areas for advancing bilateral relations, beginning with the need for continued communication. He said candid and sustained dialogue could help both sides better understand each other, manage differences and build mutual trust. He also encouraged greater contact among government departments and legislative institutions dealing with foreign affairs, economic and financial issues, law enforcement and people-to-people exchanges.

On cooperation, Xi said the interests of China and the United States were closely intertwined and there was considerable scope for practical collaboration. He welcomed American businesses seeking opportunities in China and called for Chinese companies to receive fair treatment in the United States.

He also highlighted artificial intelligence as an area where both countries have significant capabilities and responsibilities. According to Xi, cooperation should ensure that AI remains under human control and contributes to public well-being. He further expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in counternarcotics and law enforcement and suggested expanding direct flights to encourage travel and trade.

Xi also stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence. He said competition between the two countries should remain healthy and within reasonable limits, rather than becoming a confrontation in which one side seeks to defeat the other. He called for regular military dialogue and stronger mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention, arguing that conflict between the two countries could be avoided.

People-to-people ties featured prominently in his remarks. Referring to the history of Chinese and American cooperation during the Second World War, Xi said the future of bilateral relations depended greatly on the two peoples, particularly younger generations. He announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years.

He also pointed to the longstanding symbolism of giant pandas as ambassadors of friendship, announcing that two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, would soon arrive at Zoo Atlanta.

Xi concluded by saying that China's national rejuvenation and America's aspiration to make the country great again could advance alongside each other. He called on both sides to respond to the expectations of their peoples, strengthen friendship and work together toward a better world.

The remarks came during Xi's Sept. 23-25 state visit to the United States, following his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, where he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, received a formal welcome from Trump and Melania Trump. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, national anthems and a military flyover.

South China Morning Post reported

Xi, Trump praise past friendship, downplay current rivalry at dinner – as it happened

President Xi Jinping and China’s first lady Peng Liyuan arrived at the White House on Thursday, on Xi’s first trip to the US in nearly a decade, following US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing in May.

Trump greeted Xi with a handshake, followed by a show of the US’ military might with a flyover by a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors, as well as a silent military drill. In speeches, both Xi and Trump said that their countries could achieve much by focusing on common interests, and Xi warned about the dangers of AI.

The leaders then retired to the Oval Office, where Xi stressed Beijing’s position on Taiwan, urging Trump to “carefully” consider the US’ position and oppose Taiwan independence, according to Chinese state media.

Xi later said that the two countries, which have been locked in a long-running trade war, had achieved a “new joint arrangement” on trade after a new round of negotiation.

Meanwhile, US first lady Melania Trump accompanied Peng to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, before both couples reunited for a state dinner.

At the dinner, the two gave speeches to toast the bilateral relationship. Trump said that while he and Xi represent different systems, “the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better,” adding the two could “continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations”.

Citing the two countries’ partnership in World War II – and explicitly naming Japan as their shared foe in that conflict – Xi said the China-US friendship was one “forged in blood and fire” that will “live on through the generations”.