Xi Jinping and Trump hold White House welcome ceremony, pledge to strengthen cooperation
The welcome ceremony at the White House marked the official start of talks between the leaders of China and the United States. Against the backdrop of complex issues in bilateral relations, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump expressed their readiness to maintain dialogue and explore areas for cooperation. In their remarks, the two leaders addressed shared interests, trade, artificial intelligence, security and broader issues of global development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a welcome ceremony hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday morning. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump upon their arrival.
The two presidents and their wives posed for photographs before entering the White House. A military band performed the national anthems of China and the United States, after which Xi and Trump delivered remarks.
On behalf of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, Xi extended sincere greetings to the American people and warm congratulations on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Xi said he had come to the United States at Trump's invitation to continue friendship, expand cooperation and promote the well-being of the two peoples.
Speaking about profound changes taking place in the world, Xi said China and the United States, as major countries, bear a historic responsibility to advance human development and progress.
Xi recalled that during Trump's visit to China in May, the two sides agreed to build constructive China-U.S. relations featuring strategic stability. He said China was ready to work with Trump to keep bilateral relations on a steady course toward the future.
The Chinese president also called for stronger communication between the two countries. Despite differences in national conditions, he said, candid, in-depth and sustained dialogue can help both sides better understand each other, seek common ground while setting aside differences and strengthen mutual trust.
Xi stressed that the interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined and that the two countries have broad opportunities for cooperation. China-U.S. cooperation may not solve all the world's problems, he said, but many global problems would be difficult to address without it.
Xi also highlighted artificial intelligence, saying that China and the United States are leading powers in the field and share both the capabilities and responsibility to develop and govern AI for the benefit of humanity. He said AI development should remain under human control and serve people's well-being.
Xi called for peaceful coexistence between China and the United States, saying that both countries would benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation. He said the two sides should adhere to the principle of no conflict and no confrontation and that the "Thucydides Trap" can be overcome.
The Chinese president also recalled the history of cooperation between the two countries during World War II, when Chinese and American forces fought side by side against fascist aggression.
Emphasizing the importance of people-to-people ties, Xi announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China over the next five years for exchanges and study.
He also said that a pair of giant pandas would arrive in the coming days at their new home at the Atlanta Zoo. Xi described giant pandas as "ambassadors of friendship" between the Chinese and American peoples.
Xi said that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the restoration of America's greatness can go hand in hand. He called on both sides to live up to the expectations of their peoples and continue advancing ties between the two countries while working together to build a better world.
Trump, for his part, warmly welcomed Xi during the state visit. He said he and the Chinese president had developed a relationship based on mutual respect and serving the vital interests of the peoples of both countries.
Trump referred to the longstanding ties between China and the United States and said the two countries would continue cooperating and contributing to a better world.
He said the two leaders would hold in-depth discussions on trade, security, artificial intelligence, science and technology and other areas, helping lay a solid foundation for peace and prosperity in the decades ahead.
Trump also recalled that China and the United States fought side by side during World War II, highlighting the history of American volunteer pilots who served with the legendary "Flying Tigers."
After their remarks, Xi and Trump, accompanied by their wives, stepped onto a White House balcony overlooking the South Lawn to watch a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
The two couples then proceeded to the Rose Garden for a military review featuring trumpeters and flag bearers, as well as performances by traditional military bands.
The military review concluded with a flyover by a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptor fighter jets.
After the welcome ceremony, Xi and Trump, accompanied by their wives, entered the Oval Office and exchanged friendly remarks.
At Trump's invitation, Xi is making a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25. It is his second state visit to the United States after his first in 2015 and his first visit to Washington in more than a decade. The visit follows Trump's trip to Beijing in May. As reported by CCTV+, the two leaders are discussing bilateral relations and major issues concerning international peace and development.
