ERBIL () - Chinese President Xi Jinping called for cooperation between China and the United States on Wednesday, saying the two countries should be “partners rather than rivals” as he arrived in Washington for closely watched talks with US President Donald Trump.
Xi’s remarks, published by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, came hours after Trump personally welcomed the Chinese leader at Joint Base Andrews, marking the start of a state visit focused on trade, artificial intelligence, technological competition and Beijing’s relationship with Tehran.
“Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,” Xi said in written remarks, adding that the Chinese and US peoples had maintained long-standing friendly exchanges and that their interests were deeply intertwined.
Xi said he was looking forward to “in-depth exchanges” with Trump on major issues affecting bilateral relations and the global situation.
He called on the two countries to “work towards each other” and foster a stable relationship in which cooperation remains central, competition stays within limits, differences are manageable and relations maintain peaceful prospects.
Xi also linked the interests of the two countries to their respective national goals, saying that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the goal of making America great again can fully go hand in hand.”
“I am confident we can achieve this,” Xi said.
He added that joint efforts could make the visit productive, improve the well-being of both peoples and bring new hope for world peace.
Xi arrived in Washington on Wednesday and received a rare personal airport welcome from Trump.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, after the Chinese president descended from his plane at Joint Base Andrews, a US military airfield outside Washington.
Trump and Xi then stood together on the tarmac as a military band played the national anthems.
A flyover by two B-1 bombers also took place during the welcome ceremony.
Trump later described the reception as “a great little meeting” and “a great greeting.”
The visit is the third meeting between Xi and Trump since the US president returned to power, according to the supplied background.
The talks are expected to address several contentious issues, including trade, technological competition and artificial intelligence, as well as Beijing’s diplomatic and economic support for Tehran.
Trump confirmed that the war involving Iran would be among the subjects discussed during the visit.
The summit comes as Washington and Beijing seek to maintain a fragile period of calm following years of tensions between the two countries.
The United States and China have also agreed to extend a trade truce that had been due to expire in November. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the extension would push the arrangement beyond its Nov. 10 deadline to Jan. 10.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to feature prominently, with the two countries competing in a field that both view as strategically important. Preliminary talks between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng included discussion of establishing a communication channel for AI-related concerns.
The visit includes a formal welcome, talks in the Oval Office and a state banquet at the White House on Thursday. The program is scheduled to conclude Friday morning, when the two presidential couples are expected to have tea at the White House before visiting the National Archives.
Against that backdrop, Xi has framed the meeting around the need for a stable relationship between the two major powers, emphasizing cooperation while acknowledging competition and differences.
He said the two sides should “chart a correct path for two major powers” to coexist and work together.
