Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed optimism about the future of Sino-US relations, saying he hoped to work with United States President Donald Trump to make 2026 “a historic, landmark year” for ties between the two powers.
“I look forward to working together with you to set the course and steer the giant ship of China-US relations, so as to make 2026 a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations,” Xi said during talks at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Trump responded warmly, praising the Chinese leader and saying it was “an honour to be your friend,” while expressing hope that the US and China would have “a fantastic future together.”
Referring to rapid geopolitical shifts, Xi said “transformations unseen in a century” were accelerating globally and described the international environment as “fluid and turbulent.”
He questioned whether China and the US could avoid the “Thucydides Trap,” jointly address global challenges and build a stable relationship that would benefit both nations and the wider world.
“These are the questions of our times that leaders of major countries must answer together,” Xi said. He added that he and Trump had agreed on a “new vision” for a constructive China-US relationship based on strategic stability.
According to Xi, this framework should combine cooperation, manageable competition, controlled differences and a long-term commitment to peace. He stressed that building such a relationship should not remain a slogan but must be reflected in concrete actions by both sides.
Xi described China-US economic ties as mutually beneficial and said “equal-footed consultation” was the only proper way to resolve disagreements and trade frictions.
He revealed that the latest round of bilateral trade talks had produced “generally balanced and positive outcomes,” calling the results “good news” for both countries and the wider world.
The Chinese president also reaffirmed that China would continue opening its economy and welcomed greater participation by American businesses, urging both sides to strengthen communication through political, diplomatic and military channels, while expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, law enforcement and people-to-people exchanges.
