World
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Photo: AFP
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held extensive talks in Beijing on Thursday during Trump’s first official visit to China since his return to office, with both leaders presenting the summit as a crucial moment for global stability and China-US relations.
The meeting, which lasted around two hours at the Great Hall of the People, focused on a wide range of sensitive issues, including trade disputes, artificial intelligence, semiconductor restrictions, rare earth exports, and ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, as well as disagreements over the status of Taiwan.
Xi described the current international situation as a period of “accelerated changes unseen in a century,” warning that growing geopolitical instability has made cooperation between Beijing and Washington increasingly important. He added that stable China-US relations are not only vital for both countries but also for global peace and economic stability.
Moreover, the Chinese leader raised what he called the “questions of history, the world, and the people,” asking whether China and the United States could avoid the so-called “Thucydides Trap,” establish a new model of relations between major powers, and jointly respond to global challenges.
Xi also described 2026 as a possible “historic landmark year” for bilateral relations and called for opening “a new chapter” in ties between the world’s two largest economies. He stressed the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and “win-win cooperation,” while managing disagreements carefully.
He further argued that economic and trade ties between China and the US are fundamentally mutually beneficial, saying the success of one side creates opportunities rather than threats for the other. Xi further urged Washington to provide a fair and predictable environment for Chinese companies operating in the US, while reaffirming his country’s willingness to further open its market to American businesses.
Importantly, Taiwan emerged as one of the most sensitive issues discussed during the summit. Xi reportedly told Trump that the Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and represents the “first red line” in China-US relations that must not be crossed. He warned that support for Taiwanese independence risks confrontation and called on Washington to adhere strictly to the one-China principle.
The US president, meanwhile, struck a notably warm tone toward Xi throughout the visit, praising the Chinese president as “a great leader” and expressing belief that the US and China could have “a fantastic future together.” Trump also expressed confidence that bilateral relations could become “better than ever,” although he emphasized that trade issues remain a priority for Washington.
The US president said Washington seeks “fair and open trade” with China while also addressing concerns related to tariffs, market access, and technology competition.
The rare summit comes at a time of growing global uncertainty, particularly amid instability in the Middle East, with some reports claiming Trump urged China to play a larger role in the Iran dossier and regional security, while Xi emphasized dialogue and restraint.
As the US president received a grand ceremonial welcome in Beijing, including military honor guards, national anthems, and schoolchildren waving Chinese and American flags outside the Great Hall of the People, Chinese state media portrayed the summit as a major diplomatic event of global significance. Trump reportedly praised the children participating in the ceremony, telling Xi they “stole the show.”
Xi also met with American business leaders accompanying Trump during the visit, including executives from major technology and industrial firms, reiterating China’s commitment to economic reform and opening-up policies and encouraged US companies to continue investing in the Chinese market.
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