Xi urges China and US to be partners, not rivals during state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has voiced confidence that China and the United States can find the right way to coexist in a new era, calling on the two major powers to pursue partnership rather than rivalry as he began a state visit to the US.

In a written speech delivered upon his arrival, Xi described 2026 as a crucial year for the development of both countries and called for a stable bilateral relationship in which cooperation remains the mainstay, competition remains moderate, differences are manageable and peace can be expected.

Xi noted that he and US President Donald Trump had agreed during Trump’s state visit to China in May to build a constructive China-US relationship with strategic stability. He described the agreement as providing strategic guidance for the future development of bilateral ties.

The Chinese president urged Beijing and Washington to work in the same direction and strengthen a stable relationship built primarily on cooperation while keeping competition and disagreements within manageable limits.

Xi described China and the United States as two great countries whose peoples have maintained friendly exchanges for many years, adding that their interests are deeply intertwined.

He stressed that China and the US should be partners rather than rivals, arguing that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and efforts to “make America great again” could advance side by side. The two countries, he added, could help each other succeed and contribute to the well-being of people around the world.

Xi also emphasised that although the world is evolving and the times are changing, what he described as the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the US remains unchanged. He added that goodwill between the Chinese and American peoples and the international community’s expectations of the two countries also remain unchanged.

The Chinese leader expressed hope for in-depth discussions with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and the global situation. He also called for further development of a constructive China-US relationship with strategic stability and greater scope for exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Xi also looked forward to engaging with people from across American society to deepen friendship between the two countries. He expressed confidence that joint efforts would make the visit fruitful, improve the well-being of people in both countries and contribute to world peace.