President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday, aiming to strengthen ties between the United States and China amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The event, held in the White House East Room, followed a day packed with ceremonies including military flyovers and symbolic gifts such as pandas, designed to showcase diplomacy despite underlying disputes.
During the state dinner, Mr. Trump emphasized the enduring ties between the two nations and expressed optimism about building a relationship promoting prosperity and security.
"President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems but the ties between our people endure," Mr. Trump said at the start of the dinner.
Mr. Xi, while acknowledging competition between the countries, urged that it remain healthy and within limits to avoid conflict, referencing the "Thucydides Trap" theory which warns of war between a rising power and an established one.
"We do not need to avoid mentioning competition, but our competition should be a healthy one and should be kept within bounds," Mr. Xi said.
"It should be a race of catching up with one another, not a wrestle in which one either wins or loses.
China and the United States must hold the line of no conflict and no confrontation between us."
The two leaders held private discussions covering security, artificial intelligence, trade, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to the official Chinese summary of talks.
Earlier in the week, both countries agreed to extend a fragile trade truce by two months beyond a November deadline, although broader policy progress remained limited.
Mr. Xi called for artificial intelligence to remain "always under human control," contrasting with Mr. Trump's dismissal of AI concerns as a "hoax."
Despite tensions, Mr. Trump focused on hospitality, greeting Mr. Xi at Joint Base Andrews with an honor guard and military flyover before the dinner, which included prominent executives like Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk.
At the dinner, Mr. Trump highlighted White House improvements, telling Mr. Xi, "It’s one year away from complete, the new ballroom that you’ve heard about.
And you will see something that I think you will really love."
Following Mr. Trump's remarks, Mr. Xi recalled the historic US-China rapprochement initiated by President Richard Nixon in 1972, highlighting the enduring nature of the relationship despite challenges.
"Such a friendship, forged in blood and fire," Mr. Xi said, "will surely live on through the generations."
