President Xi stresses collaboration as high-stake meeting with Trump begins in Beijing
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BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday emphasized that all global crises can be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue. President Xi made the remarks when holding talks with US President Donald Trump in Beijing. It marks the first state visit by a US president in nearly nine years. Earlier, the Chinese president held a welcome ceremony for Trump outside the Great Hall of the People, followed by the high-level meeting. President Xi stressed that despite differences, China and the United States must act according to principles of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He noted that both nations, as major powers, shared a historic responsibility to maintain global stability and economic development. “The world is facing rapid changes unseen in a century,” Xi said, referencing challenges such as the Iran dispute and global supply chain pressures. He urged leaders to work together to provide stability and build a brighter future for their peoples. Highlighting the importance of cooperation over conflict, Xi stated, “I believe that our common interests outweigh our differences. China and the United States can both benefit from cooperation, and we should not see each other as rivals but as partners.” He added that both nations should support each other in achieving success and prosperity while finding the right path for collaboration. President Trump, addressing the press, described meeting President Xi as an honour and expressed his enthusiasm for the summit. “It is a privilege to be friends with President Xi,” Trump said, adding that he brought some of the world’s top business leaders to the visit. He highlighted that the summit’s primary focus would be on mutual trade and building decades of strong, lasting relations between the two nations. The state visit follows Trump’s arrival in Beijing for a two-day official tour, signaling an opportunity for China and the US to explore a more strategic, constructive, and stable relationship.