BEIJING, May 14: Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump started a crucial series of meetings in Beijing on Thursday in a US-China summit where stability in the relationship is the main goal of the two days of discussions.
The White House and Chinese state media said the leaders concluded their meeting Thursday morning after about two hours. Trump is expected to leave just after midday Friday after a final private meeting with Xi. But few breakthroughs are expected on divisive issues ranging from the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan.
Trump hopes to focus the summit talks on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes.
In their closed-door meeting, Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, US-China relations “will enjoy overall stability.” If not, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi said, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.
Trump in December authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The U.S. has not yet moved forward with delivery.
Xi said China’s door of opening to US business will only open wider, he told American corporate leaders who accompanied Trump. The US president said the business leaders all respect and value China and he encourages them to expand cooperation with China, Xinhua reported.
The war with Iran is also likely to be a key topic. Ahead of the meetings, Trump hoped China would use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to US terms to end the two-month old war or reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, but he has tempered those calls ahead of the summit.
Here is the Latest:
What’s for dinner at China’s state banquet
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The menu, according to the White House, included some Chinese elements.
Lobster in Tomato Soup, Crispy Beef Ribs, Beijing Roast Duck, Stewed Seasonal Vegetables and Slow-Cooked Salmon in Mustard Sauce.
Guests also dined on Pan-Fried Pork Bun, Trumpet Shell-Shaped Pastry and Tiramisu, as well as fruits and ice cream.
Musk was a draw for selfies at the Trump-Xi banquet
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Before the leaders entered the room, a steady stream of guests approached Elon Musk at his table, snapping selfies with the tech CEO.
Lei Jun, CEO of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, was seen shaking hands with Musk and taking a selfie with him.
Trump and Xi could meet up to 4 times in 2026
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US and Chinese officials say Trump and Xi could potentially meet four times in 2026.
The meetings could include the Group of 20 meeting in Miami and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Guangzhou later this year.
Trump invites Xi to visit White House in September
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Trump extended a September 24 invitation to Xi and his wife, Madame Peng, during his reciprocal toast.
“And we look forward to it,” Trump said. He also thanked Xi for his hospitality. “This has been an amazing period of time,” Trump said.
Trump recounts fantastic day’ in China to open banquet toast
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“This is a great honour. It was a fantastic day,” Trump said. “It really was a magnificent welcome like none other.”
He described his talks with Xi as “extremely positive conversations” and said everything that they discussed was “all good for the United States and China.
“And it was a great honour to be with you,” the US president said, referring to his Chinese counterpart.
Xi says US-China relationship is most important in the world
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Xi Jinping called for the China and the US to work together as partners rather than rivals in an opening toast ahead of the state banquet that was largely positive though measured.
“We both believe that China and the US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up,” Xi said.
Xi noted it was the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America Great Again can go hand in hand,” he said. “Both China and US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, should be partners rather than rivals.”
He then toasted Trump and the audience.
Taiwan calls China the ‘only risk’ to regional stability
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“China is currently the only risk to regional peace and stability,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Affairs said in response to Xi’s warning Thursday for the US to be careful.
“Even during the meeting between the leaders of the United States and China, the People’s Liberation Army continued to send military aircraft and ships to harass and threaten Taiwan in the region,” the ministry said.
Xi said “Taiwan independence” and cross-strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water, while noting the issue was the most important in the bilateral relationship.
Xi’s wording on Taiwan may indicate Trump didn’t budge
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Xi’s stark warning to Trump over Taiwan may indicate the US president did not make concessions Thursday over the island democracy China claims as its own, an analyst said.
Any meaningful concession would have been reflected in Beijing’s official readout of the meeting, said William Yang, a senior analyst for Northeast Asia for International Crisis Group.
“The lack of such mention and the relatively stern tone suggest Trump may not have budged on Taiwan in principle,” Yang said.
Wen-Ti Sung of the Atlantic Council said Xi’s warning of potential conflict signalled Taiwan remains the Chinese government’s biggest red line.
“Taiwan is the identity-defining issue in U.S.-China relations: get Taiwan right and we are friends; get Taiwan wrong and we might become foes before you know it,” Sung said. (AP)
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