Chinese president calls for China-US partnership during high-stakes state visit to Washington

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for direct cooperation between Beijing and Washington on Wednesday, stating that the United States and China should act as "partners rather than rivals" as he arrived in the U.S. capital for a historic three-day state visit, Chinese state media reported.

President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan touched down at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, where U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally greeted the delegation on the tarmac—a rare protocol gesture extending extraordinary diplomatic respect to the visiting foreign leader.

What did President Xi Jinping state regarding US-China relations?

In written remarks published by state news agency Xinhua upon his arrival, President Xi stressed that the interests of the American and Chinese peoples remain deeply intertwined. Emphasizing the need for strategic stability, Xi called on both nations to establish a relationship defined by cooperation, bounded competition, manageable differences, and peaceful coexistence.

Referencing President Trump's core political messaging, Xi stated that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the goal of making America great again can fully go hand in hand," expressing confidence that joint diplomatic efforts during the summit would yield fruitful results for global stability.

What key issues and high-stakes topics dominate the Washington summit?

The high-level visit reciprocates President Trump’s state visit to Beijing in May 2026 and comes as both economies seek to manage severe bilateral friction. Key items on the summit agenda include:

• Trade & Tariff Truce: Extending the temporary bilateral trade agreement, including China's pause on rare earth export restrictions and U.S. concessions on semiconductor export limits.
• Artificial Intelligence Dialogue: Establishing formal bilateral frameworks to manage national security risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence technology.
• Regional & Energy Security: Addressing Beijing's diplomatic and economic ties with Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, as well as cross-strait security and U.S. defense support for Taiwan.

The formal schedule includes a White House arrival ceremony, a troop review in the Rose Garden, and an official state dinner on Thursday evening attended by major U.S. technology and business leaders.