US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to project a more cooperative tone in ties between the world's two largest economies, with both leaders highlighting the need for greater cooperation on trade, technology, artificial intelligence and security.
Trump said he was proud of the relationship between the United States and China and described his relationship with Xi as a strong friendship. He said the two leaders would continue working together towards a better future and planned to discuss security, technology and artificial intelligence.
Also Read: Trump gives Xi rare planeside welcome with 30m red carpet; trade truce extended
Trump also said the two countries were working towards a more balanced trade relationship.
Xi, who was visiting the United States at Trump's invitation, said China and the US had a responsibility as major powers to contribute to global development and progress. He said the interests of the two countries were deeply intertwined and there was considerable scope for cooperation.
The Chinese president said he was ready to work with Trump to keep bilateral ties on a steady course and build what he described as a constructive relationship of strategic stability.
Xi said cooperation between Beijing and Washington could not resolve every global problem but would be important for addressing many of them. He also said China would keep its market open to US companies and hoped Chinese firms would receive fair treatment in the United States.
AI, trade and technology
Artificial intelligence featured prominently in Xi's remarks, with the Chinese president saying both countries had the capabilities and responsibility to develop and manage AI in a way that benefits people and keeps its development under human control.
Trump had also identified technology and AI as subjects for discussion, alongside security and trade.
Also Read: Trump plans grand spectacle for potentially tense Xi talks
Xi called for competition between the two countries to remain within limits and described it as a race to improve rather than a confrontation in which one side must defeat the other.
He also urged both countries to maintain a firm commitment to avoiding conflict and confrontation. Xi said the two militaries should maintain regular dialogue and strengthen mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention.
The Chinese president also called for greater cooperation on counter-narcotics and law enforcement and suggested that the two sides could expand direct flights to facilitate travel and trade.
People-to-people ties
Xi placed particular emphasis on ties between the American and Chinese peoples, saying the relationship's future depended heavily on people-to-people exchanges and younger generations.
He announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China over the next five years for study and exchange programmes.
He also pointed to the role of giant pandas in US-China relations, saying two pandas, Pingping and Fu Xuan, would soon move to Zoo Atlanta as part of the countries' longstanding people-to-people and cultural ties.
Xi also referred to the history of cooperation between the two countries during World War II, when Chinese and American forces fought together against fascist aggression.
He said China and the United States should seek peaceful coexistence and avoid allowing strategic competition to turn into confrontation.
Xi ended by linking China's goal of national rejuvenation with Trump's goal of making America great again, saying the two objectives could proceed alongside each other while the two countries worked to strengthen ties between their peoples and contribute to a better world.
