Trump’s trip to Beijing is the first by a US president in nearly a decade, with the grand reception belying a roster of unresolved trade and geopolitical tensions.
Xi greeted Trump with a red-carpet welcome at the opulent Great Hall Of The People, with military band fanfare, a 21-gun salute and a host of schoolchildren chanting “welcome”.
Seemingly enjoying the ceremony, Trump said “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before”.
Xi instead referenced a political theory about the risks of war when a rising power rivals a ruling one, inspired by an ancient Greek historian.
Xi said: “Can China and the United States transcend the so-called ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new paradigm for major-power relations?”
At a state banquet in the evening, the Chinese leader insisted it was possible, adding: “Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can totally go hand in hand... and advance the wellbeing of the whole world.”
But there are longstanding hurdles to overcome, with Taiwan looming large.
The United States recognises only Beijing but under US law is required to provide weapons to Taiwan for its defence.
China has sworn to take the island and has not ruled out using force, ramping up military pressure in recent years.
Following Xi’s comments, Taipei called China the “sole risk” to regional peace, and insisted “the US side has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear and firm support”.
Trump had said he would speak to Xi about US arms sales to Taiwan, a departure from Washington’s previous insistence that it will not consult Beijing on the matter.
The White House said the initial talks on Thursday had been “good”, though it did not mention Taiwan in the readout.
Adam Ni, editor of newsletter China Neican, told AFP that while Xi’s “blunt language” was not uncommon in party state media, it was unusual coming from the leader himself.
China has been “signalling a desire for US compromise on Taiwan”, the National University of Singapore’s Chong Ja Ian told AFP.
Xi’s demand could suggest “they see some opportunity to convince Trump”, he said.
Trump told Fox News that Xi had offered China’s help to open the Strait of Hormuz and that Xi had also pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran.
Trump said: “He said he’s not going to give military equipment … he said that strongly. He’d like to see the Hormuz strait open, and said ‘if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help’.”
The Chinese foreign ministry earlier said the Middle East had been discussed but did not give further details.
- AFP
