New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger cooperation and sustained dialogue with the US, warning that growing rivalry between the two countries could lead to military confrontation unless tensions are managed through communication and mutual understanding.
Speaking at the beginning of his summit meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Xi said Beijing and Washington should work towards a relationship based on cooperation rather than confrontation.
He argued that the goals of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again could advance alongside each other, according to guardian.com.
Xi said the two countries had different national conditions but could improve mutual understanding through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue.
He stressed the need to identify areas of common ground while setting aside differences and building greater mutual trust.
The Chinese president also called for peaceful coexistence between the two major powers, saying cooperation could benefit both countries while confrontation would result in losses for both sides.
He proposed that the Chinese and US militaries maintain regular dialogue and strengthen mechanisms aimed at crisis communication and prevention.
According to Xi, establishing such conditions could help the two countries avoid what is known as the Thucydides trap, a term describing tensions that can emerge when an expanding power challenges an established power.
Xi had previously raised the issue during his meeting with Trump in Beijing in May, when he asked the US president how the two countries could avoid falling into such a conflict.
As part of his broader proposals for reducing tensions, Xi also invited 100,000 young Americans to visit China through student exchanges. His comments came as Washington and Beijing remain engaged in intense competition over artificial intelligence and trade, with both countries imposing tariffs on each other.
The White House summit began with Trump welcoming Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Trump noted that Xi was the first Chinese leader to make a second state visit to the US, following his previous visit in 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Trump said Xi and Peng’s visit came at an important time for the US, as the country prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its founding.
The US president also highlighted his personal relationship with Xi, describing it as a strong friendship. He said the two leaders had made substantial progress on issues affecting their countries and that their teams were working towards a more balanced trading relationship, including expanded market access for American farmers and ranchers.
Trump said security, technology and artificial intelligence would be among the subjects discussed during the visit. He referred to artificial intelligence as “super intelligence”, a term he had introduced during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Xi also referred to his personal rapport with Trump, saying the two leaders respected each other and had maintained contact. He recalled that during Trump’s visit to China earlier this year, they had agreed to work towards a constructive China-US relationship based on strategic stability.
Xi said he was prepared to work with Trump to keep the China-US relationship on a stable path towards the future.
The White House ceremony followed Trump’s unusual decision to travel to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland the previous evening to personally welcome Xi and Peng on their arrival.
The formal welcome continued at the White House on Thursday, where the national anthems of China and the US were played. Trump stood alongside First Lady Melania Trump as members of his cabinet and senior aides attended the ceremony.
Following the welcome speeches and ceremony, Trump and Xi moved into bilateral talks covering the issues confronting the two countries.
