Chinese President Xi Jinping

Delivers Remarks at White House Welcome Ceremony During State Visit to the United States

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the official welcome ceremony held by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday morning, marking the start of his state visit to the United States.

In his remarks, Xi expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. On behalf of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, he conveyed sincere greetings to the American people and offered congratulations on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Xi said both China and the United States are great nations with great peoples. He stated that his visit aimed to carry forward friendship, expand cooperation, and enhance the well-being of the peoples of both countries. Facing profound changes in the world, the times and history, he said the two major powers shoulder a historic responsibility to promote human development and progress.

Recalling Trump’s visit to China earlier this year, Xi noted that the two leaders had agreed to build a constructive strategic stability relationship, a positioning widely welcomed by people in both countries and the international community. He expressed readiness to work with Trump to steer China-U.S. relations steadily forward.

Xi outlined three priorities for the bilateral relationship:

• Strengthen communication: Through candid, in-depth and sustained dialogue, the two sides can enhance mutual understanding, seek common ground while setting aside differences, and build trust. He encouraged greater exchanges between government departments and legislatures.

• Engage in sincere cooperation: China and the United States have deeply intertwined interests and broad space for cooperation. While bilateral cooperation cannot solve all global problems, many issues cannot be resolved without it. Xi said China’s door remains open to U.S. businesses and called for fair treatment of Chinese companies. He also highlighted the need for cooperation on artificial intelligence, law enforcement and anti-narcotics efforts, and suggested increasing direct flights.

• Pursue peaceful coexistence: Xi reiterated that cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation harms both. Competition, if it exists, should be healthy and bounded — a race rather than a zero-sum contest. He stressed the importance of upholding the bottom line of no conflict and no confrontation, and said the “Thucydides Trap” can be avoided. He also called for regular dialogue between the two militaries and improved crisis communication mechanisms.

Xi noted that China and the United States fought side by side against fascism during World War II, a history remembered by both peoples. He announced that China will invite 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years.

He also shared that two giant pandas, Pingping and Fushuang, will soon arrive at Zoo Atlanta to meet the American public.

Xi concluded by saying that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the goal of making America great again are not mutually exclusive. He called for efforts grounded in the people and guided by historical initiative to advance friendship between the two peoples and jointly build a better world.