Chinese President Xi Jinping, upon his arrival in Washington on Wednesday, September 24, 2026, emphasized that the United States and China should foster a relationship built on partnership rather than rivalry. President Xi stated that both nations could discover an appropriate path to coexistence in the evolving global landscape.
Trump Extends Rare Welcome to Xi
President Donald Trump personally welcomed President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday evening. This reception, which included a US Air Force band and the display of both national flags, was noted as the first instance since 1962 that a US president had greeted a foreign leader directly at the base.
Agenda for High-Stakes Discussions
The highly anticipated meeting between the two leaders is expected to encompass a wide array of critical topics. These include ongoing trade tariffs, advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence, military relations, regional conflicts in West Asia, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the global arms race in space, US arms sales to Taiwan, and Beijing's diplomatic and economic support for Tehran. President Xi expressed confidence that his visit would yield fruitful outcomes.
Promoting a Stable and Cooperative Relationship
In written remarks, President Xi highlighted the deep intertwining of interests between the peoples of China and the US, citing their long history of friendly exchanges. He recalled a previous agreement with President Trump during a visit in May, which aimed to establish a constructive China-US relationship, providing strategic guidance for their bilateral ties. Xi stressed the importance of promoting a stable relationship characterized by cooperation, moderate competition, manageable differences, and promises of peace.
The Chinese delegation accompanying President Xi included Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.