Beijing, May 14 : Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said that 2026 will be “historic, landmark year” for China-US relations as he welcomed US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of People for talks with him.
The leaders of the world’s two largest economies are scheduled to have a few rounds of talks on Thursday and Friday.
Xi received Trump as he arrived at the Great Hall and introduced him to the Chinese officials, followed by Xi shaking hands with the US officials accompanying the president.
Later together, they inspected the guard of honour before going for talks.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Xi told Trump that he expects 2026 to be “historic, landmark year” for China-US relations.
China and the US must jointly answer the questions of the times.
The China-US presidential meeting in Beijing attracts global attention, he said as the two leaders settled for talks.
Trump says looking forward to “big discussion” with President Xi, official media reported.
Trump arrived in Beijing last night to a rousing welcome.
The visit by President Trump comes amid growing economic and geopolitical uncertainties arising from conflicts in the West East and the subsequent global energy shock that has taken a toll, particularly in Asia.
Xi and Trump are expected to discuss the war in Iran, trade, technology and Taiwan, among other points of contention, during the visit.
Trump was welcomed by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the airport, a rare honour that broke with usual diplomatic protocol.
Officials say most of the top leaders visiting China, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, a close ally of Xi, were received by State Councillors, a high-ranking post of the ruling Communist Party of China.
By deputing Vice President Han to receive Trump, China sent a message about the importance it attached to his visit, observers said.
Trump’s son Eric and his daughter-in-law Lara, as well as Tesla chief Elon Musk, disembarked from Air Force One along with Trump.
Accompanying Trump on his trip to China are some of the US’s top business leaders.
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Tim Cook of Apple, Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Larry Fink of BlackRock, are among those travelling with the US president.
“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level,” Trump said in a post on social media.
Trump said that it will be his “very first request” when he meets the Chinese leader, BBC reported.
“I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible countries,” he said.
The last-minute addition of Nvidia’s Jensen Huang to Trump’s delegation was regarded as significant, as semiconductor chips are central to the US-China technology rivalry.
China is bargaining for semiconductor chips for its AI tech development, while the US wants the rare-earth minerals used for manufacturing mobile phones and aircraft jets.
Ahead of Trump’s arrival, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Scott Bessent completed the final round of trade negotiations in South Korea, details of which are not known.
The next two days, Trump and Xi are scheduled to hold several rounds of talks to discuss both bilateral and global issues, especially the Iran war.
The talks are expected to focus on trade and tariffs, Artificial Intelligence and technology, Taiwan and US’ arms sales to Taipei, Iran and West Asia and rare earths and supply chains.
Trump’s schedule in Beijing included a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a complex of imperial temples where emperors would pray for a good harvest.
Ahead of his departure for Beijing, Trump told the media in Washington he would be talking with Xi about trade more than anything else. He plans to sign more deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft.
The two countries also plan to set up a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries.
The global focus on the summit, however, would be on any possible outcome that could end the US-Israeli war against Iran and end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
