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XI JINPING ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON AS TRUMP-XI SUMMIT FOCUSES ON US-CHINA RELATIONS
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a state visit and is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday a...
By Patience
Xi arrived in the United States on Wednesday, September 23, accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally welcomed the Chinese president and Peng at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The visit is Xi's first to Washington in more than a decade and comes as Beijing and Washington continue discussions on trade, technology, artificial intelligence and other issues affecting their relationship.
XI CALLS FOR COEXISTENCE BETWEEN CHINA AND US
In remarks following his arrival, Xi said China and the United States should work toward a relationship based on peaceful coexistence.
He described the two countries as having the potential to be partners rather than rivals and said he believed they could find a way to get along in the new era.
Xi also referred to the need for the two sides to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and the management of differences.
His comments came as the two governments prepared for the leaders' meeting at the White House.
TRUMP GIVES XI A RARE AIRPORT WELCOME
Trump's personal welcome at Joint Base Andrews was an unusual diplomatic gesture.
The US president greeted Xi and Peng on the tarmac as a military band played and the two leaders exchanged brief remarks before leaving the base.
The formal state-visit programme continues Thursday, when Xi is scheduled to take part in a ceremony at the White House before meeting Trump.
TRADE REMAINS A KEY ISSUE
Trade is expected to be one of the main subjects of the Trump-Xi discussions.
The United States and China have spent months negotiating over tariffs and other economic issues, while both sides have sought to maintain a temporary truce that reduced some of the pressure from their earlier trade confrontation.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that US and Chinese negotiators had reached an understanding on extending the existing trade truce until January 10, although further details remained to be finalized.
The two governments are also discussing issues involving rare-earth supplies, market access and other economic concerns.
AI AND OTHER ISSUES ON THE AGENDA
Artificial intelligence is another issue expected to feature in the talks.
The United States and China are both major players in the development of advanced AI systems, while Washington has imposed restrictions on the export of certain advanced technologies to China.
Other areas of disagreement include Taiwan, military relations and broader strategic competition.
The leaders are therefore entering the meeting with several issues requiring continued negotiations despite recent efforts to stabilize relations.
STATE VISIT CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON
Xi's visit runs from September 23 to September 25.
Thursday's meeting with Trump is expected to be the central event of the visit, followed by a state dinner and other official activities.
The meeting will be the second face-to-face encounter between Trump and Xi this year. Both governments have continued high-level engagement as they attempt to manage differences while maintaining communication between Washington and Beijing.