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Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for greater cooperation with the United States, saying the two countries should be “partners rather than rivals” ahead of talks with US President Donald Trump.
Xi made the remarks in written comments published by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency after arriving in Washington on Wednesday evening local time, where Trump greeted him on a red carpet.
“Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,” Xi said, noting that the Chinese and US peoples had maintained long-standing friendly exchanges and that the interests of the two countries were deeply intertwined.
The remarks came ahead of closely watched talks between the two leaders, with trade, technological competition, particularly in artificial intelligence, and Beijing’s diplomatic and economic support for Tehran expected to feature prominently in their discussions.
Xi said he looked forward to “in-depth exchanges” with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and the global situation.
He called on the two sides to work toward a stable relationship in which cooperation remained the main focus, competition stayed within limits, differences were manageable and relations maintained peaceful prospects.
In a reference to Trump’s political slogan, Xi said China’s goal of achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” and Trump’s goal of “making America great again” could “fully go hand in hand”.
The Chinese president said the two countries should “chart a correct path for two major powers” to coexist.
“I am confident we can achieve this,” Xi said.
“With the joint efforts of both sides, this visit will yield fruitful results, enhance the well-being of our two peoples and bring new hope for world peace,” he added.
