Wang Yi talks about President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States: opening up the right way for major countries to get along with each other and writing a new chapter in the history of Sino-U.S. relations

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 26th: Pioneering the correct way for major countries to get along with each other and writing a new chapter in the history of Sino-US relations

——Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi talks about President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States

From September 23 to 25, 2026, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the United States. At the end of the trip, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, briefed the accompanying reporters on the visit.

Wang Yi said that in September, the heads of state’s diplomacy reached climax after climax and was brilliant. After visiting Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, President Xi Jinping went to the other side of the Pacific and embarked on a world-famous trip to the United States. This is President Xi Jinping’s second state visit to the United States after 11 years. The two heads of state have exchanged visits within half a year, creating a history of Sino-US exchanges. The visit has a compact schedule and rich content. President Xi Jinping and President Trump exchanged candid and in-depth views on strategic and overall issues related to China-US relations and world trends in a friendly atmosphere of mutual respect. The United States accords President Xi Jinping the highest courtesy. President Trump and his wife went to the airport to greet him. The military band played the national anthems of China and the United States. A 21-gun salute was fired at the scene. The honor guards of all services lined up to pay tribute, marking a grand prelude to the visit. The next day, President Trump held a grand welcome ceremony for President Xi Jinping at the White House. The two heads of state delivered important speeches, reviewed the guard of honor side by side, and flew fighter jets over the White House. That night, President Trump and his wife decorated the East Room of the White House in Chinese red and held a grand welcome state banquet for President Xi Jinping and his wife. Dignitaries from the US government and celebrities from all walks of life gathered together. These carefully designed protocol arrangements highlight the United States' full respect for President Xi Jinping and the high importance it attaches to China-U.S. relations.

Domestic and foreign media focused on this visit, and reported intensively on the front pages. It was generally believed that this visit was a historic visit and a milestone. In the turbulent international situation, this visit continues the positive effect of the Beijing meeting between the two heads of state, leads China and the United States to achieve new development in constructive strategic and stable relations, and releases a positive signal that China and the United States are meeting each other halfway, peaceful coexistence, and mutual benefit, benefiting both countries and the world.

1. Expand the new positioning of Sino-US relations

Wang Yi said that heads of state diplomacy is the keystone of Sino-US relations. Since President Trump took office again, the two heads of state have met three times, had five phone calls, and exchanged letters many times. They have maintained close exchanges and formed a model of mutual respect and sincerity, which has become the most valuable strategic asset of China-US relations. At every critical moment when the ship of China-U.S. relations is moving forward, there is a head of state who leads the diplomatic direction.

During President Trump's visit to China in May this year, the two heads of state jointly confirmed the new positioning of China-US constructive strategic and stable relations, and made it clear that they would work in the direction of focusing on cooperation, moderate competition, controllable differences, and promising peace. The new positioning not only reflects the reality that Sino-US relations are making steady progress, but also reflects the expectations of both sides for the continuous improvement of Sino-US relations. It is an important step towards the correct way for the two countries to get along with each other. Following the direction indicated by the two heads of state, the two sides actively promoted dialogue and cooperation, properly handled differences and frictions, and achieved the overall stability of Sino-US relations.

The important political outcome of this visit is that President Xi Jinping and President Trump further expanded the connotation of the new positioning of China-US relations, clarified the importance of respect, fairness, and reciprocity, and agreed to build a "constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity." This provided clearer strategic guidance for China and the United States to explore ways to get along with each other as major powers. Respect means respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respecting the social system and development path chosen by each, and respecting each other's core interests and major concerns. Fairness means carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation, resolving differences through consultation, not engaging in a zero-sum game where you lose and I win, and not pursuing unilateral absolute advantage. Reciprocity means that the two countries have equal sovereignty, no distinction between superior and inferior, do not engage in bullying, address respective concerns on a equal footing, and develop cooperation in all fields in a balanced manner. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the United States are two major countries that shoulder the historical responsibility of promoting human development and progress. They should demonstrate their responsibility as major countries, conform to the expectations of the people and the general trend of the times, and explore a new way for major countries to get along correctly. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making the United States great again can go hand in hand, achieve mutual success, and benefit the world.

China and the United States have different situations, and it is normal to have differences, some of which are sharp, and many of the conflicts are also complex. However, properly handling differences and contradictions while seeking common ground while reserving differences is the proper meaning of a constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States. The two heads of state agreed to give full play to the coordinating role of political and diplomatic channels. The militaries of the two countries should maintain regular dialogue, and the economic and trade, financial, law enforcement, humanities and other departments must strengthen communication to increase trust and dispel doubts, manage differences, and accumulate mutual trust. President Xi Jinping clarified China's principled position on the Taiwan issue, emphasized that China firmly safeguards national unity and territorial integrity, and urged the United States to adhere to the correct stance of opposing "Taiwan independence", handle the Taiwan issue prudently, and eliminate interference to the development of China-U.S. strategic cooperation and bilateral relations.

Wang Yi said that as President Xi Jinping pointed out, the "Thucydides Trap" can be overcome. The constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States is not a slogan, but should be actions that go toward each other halfway. As long as respect, fairness, and reciprocity are truly reflected, China and the United States will surely be able to jointly find a correct way to get along with each other through dialogue and consultation, so that two countries with different civilizations, different systems, and different paths can coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time.

2. Open up new space for Sino-US cooperation

Wang Yi said that as the world's top two economies, it is an objective fact that China and the United States are both in harmony with each other. It is a historical revelation that both countries will benefit from cooperation and suffer from confrontation. Mutual achievement and win-win cooperation are the only correct choices. Sino-US cooperation is related to the well-being of the two peoples and also affects the world's political and economic landscape.

On the eve of the visit, the economic and trade teams of both sides held a new round of consultations and reached a new joint arrangement, including the establishment and promotion of a trade council and an investment council, the establishment of an agricultural working group, a "US$30 billion" reciprocal tax reduction, an extension of the results of the Kuala Lumpur economic and trade consultations, etc. This has stabilized the economic and trade relations between the two countries and stabilized market confidence, which is good for the industries of both countries, people and even the global economy. Sino-US economic and trade relations have gone through twists and turns, and today's stable situation is hard-won. Some forces in the United States generalize the concept of national security, politicize economic and trade issues at every turn, suppress Chinese-owned enterprises in the United States, restrict China's investment in the United States, create barriers to market access, and encourage "decoupling and disconnection." This is not in the interest of either party and will only make the intersection of interests between the two parties smaller and smaller. President Xi Jinping pointed out that cooperation is a two-way street, and the stability of Sino-US economic and trade relations requires both extending the list of cooperation and shortening the list of issues. The United States should treat Chinese companies fairly, uphold the spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity, and find a way out of the problem through dialogue and negotiation. Both sides should meet each other halfway, adhere to the orientation of mutual benefit and win-win, promote the sustained, stable and positive development of Sino-US economic and trade relations, and better benefit the two peoples.

Sino-US law enforcement cooperation has effectively safeguarded the safety of life and property of the two peoples and enhanced the "safety factor" for the development of bilateral relations. Fentanyl abuse has caused untold trauma to many American families. Although this problem was not caused by China, China has always done its best to assist the United States in dealing with the fentanyl crisis with the greatest goodwill and from the perspective of humanitarianism and the overall situation of China-US relations. Since the meeting in Beijing, China has once again added precursor chemicals to its schedule, strengthened export supervision, and jointly solved many drug-related cases with the United States, which reflects China's sincerity. The two heads of state tasked the law enforcement agencies of both sides to continue to strengthen cooperation and jointly combat transnational crimes.

Wang Yi said, those who do will always succeed, and those who do will always arrive. Facts have proved that China and the United States can accomplish a series of major and good things through cooperation. Every progress in Sino-US relations brings a real sense of gain to the international community. All departments and levels of both sides must implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in a nail-biting spirit, never ignore good deeds and evil deeds, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results in pragmatic cooperation, achieve mutual success in healthy competition, and jointly create a better prospect for China-US relations.

3. Build a new bridge of friendship between China and the United States

Wang Yi said that people-to-people bonds provide solid strength and lasting momentum for the development of China-US relations. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, the hope of Sino-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the people, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in the localities. "Ping Pong Diplomacy" has opened the door to exchanges between China and the United States that have been closed for many years. "Guling Edge" has inherited the friendship that spans centuries. Iowa has witnessed touching stories of local cooperation. The trickles of exchanges between the two peoples have converged into the source of living water that nourishes the development of bilateral relations.

During this visit, President Xi Jinping repeatedly mentioned the highlight moments of Sino-US people-to-people friendship: the two peoples fought side by side in World War II, and the Chinese military and civilians rescued hundreds of American pilots at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Chinese desert control expert Yin Yuzhen and American friend Sycos reunited in China over more than 20 years ago. The saplings planted in the desert have become forests. The sincere words and touching stories resonated strongly with people from all walks of life in China and the United States. In his speech, President Trump also recounted the historical experience of China and the United States becoming allies in World War II and the two peoples joining hands to win World War II. He expressed that the friendship between the United States and China spans thousands of miles and stretches for hundreds of years, and that the United States and China are willing to continue to cultivate the friendship between the two countries and bring lasting prosperity and security to future generations. "Friendship between countries depends on the mutual understanding between people." The mutual understanding between people is the most warm and powerful, which is enough to break down the barriers, clean up the noise, and connect each other across the vast Pacific Ocean.

In order to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the United States, President Xi Jinping announced a series of new measures. On the basis of completing the "50,000 in 5 years" initiative goal two and a half years ahead of schedule, President Xi Jinping announced that China will invite 100,000 American teenagers to come to China for exchange and study in the next five years. From 50,000 to 100,000, the increase is not only a number, but also an action to expand youth exchanges and accumulate youth power for Sino-US friendship. The good news most welcomed by the American people is that giant pandas "Ping Ping" and "Fu Shuang" will soon settle in Atlanta Zoo. Giant pandas are messengers of friendship and are deeply loved by the American people. The panda relationship between the two countries has spanned more than half a century. The arrival of "Pingping" and "Fushuang" will add another wonderful story to Sino-US friendship. "Rose Diplomacy" is another highlight of this visit. When President Trump visited Zhongnanhai in May, he praised Chinese roses very much. A few months later, the Chinese rose brought the best wishes of the Chinese people across the ocean to the White House in the United States, becoming a new symbol of friendship between the two countries.

It is worth mentioning that President Trump and his wife invited President Xi Jinping and his wife to visit the National Archives of the United States, which is similar to President Xi Jinping’s invitation to President Trump to visit the Temple of Heaven in May. It reflects the understanding and respect of each other’s history and culture between China and the United States. China and the United States have different cultural traditions and social systems, but differences do not necessarily lead to confrontation, but provide a broad space for exchanges and mutual learning.

The gentle and friendly lady's diplomacy injected soft power into this visit. Professor Peng Liyuan accompanied President Xi Jinping on his visit to the United States. At the invitation of President Trump’s wife, Melania, they visited the National Museum of Asian Art and enjoyed the chorus of American teenagers singing “Jasmine” and other Chinese songs. They felt the fusion of art and musical resonance, which brought the two peoples closer to each other.

Wang Yi said that only through heart-to-heart communication can lasting success be achieved. For China-U.S. relations to continue moving forward, it requires both a "handshake" at the head of state level and a "handshake" from ordinary people. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, we will continue to pave the way for cultural exchanges between China and the United States, broaden channels and provide impetus for exchanges and cooperation in youth, education, culture, tourism, sports and other fields, so that the tree of friendship between the two peoples can take root deeper and grow higher.

4. Demonstrate new responsibilities as a major country

Wang Yi said that in the face of the turbulent international situation, the global significance of Sino-US relations has become more prominent. Whether it is responding to global challenges or promoting the de-escalation of hot-spot issues, constructive interaction between China and the United States is inseparable. President Xi Jinping pointed out that although Sino-US cooperation cannot solve all the world's problems, many problems in the world will be difficult to solve without cooperation between the two countries. President Trump said that cooperation between the United States and China will lay a solid foundation for world peace and prosperity in the coming decades. During this visit, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on major international and regional issues of common concern and agreed to strengthen coordination and make due contributions to world peace and development.

The continued tensions in the Gulf and the Middle East have impacted global energy security, geopolitical structure and international order. As a responsible major country, China has always been a builder of peace, a promoter of stability, and a supporter of development in the Middle East. President Xi Jinping has successively put forward a series of initiatives and propositions dedicated to peace and stability in the Middle East, which have been widely recognized and responded positively by the international community. During this visit, President Xi Jinping emphasized that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be respected, encouraged all parties to adhere to peaceful choices, supported the return of the United States and Iran to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, restarted dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and finally reached a comprehensive agreement including nuclear issues. International public opinion speaks highly of China's objective and fair stance. It believes that China focuses on the root causes of problems, emphasizes addressing both symptoms and root causes, respects the sovereignty of all countries, promotes dialogue and consultation, and plays a constructive role in cooling down the situation in the Middle East. It expects China to provide Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to solve more hot-spot issues.

The healthy, safe and orderly development of artificial intelligence is related to the future of mankind and cannot be separated from Sino-US cooperation. During this visit, President Xi Jinping had in-depth communication with President Trump on the issue of artificial intelligence, pointing out that both China and the United States are major countries in artificial intelligence and have the ability and responsibility to develop and control artificial intelligence well to ensure that the development of artificial intelligence is always controlled by people and benefits the people. China and the United States should each show their strengths instead of defending each other. The two heads of state agreed to make good use of the China-US artificial intelligence dialogue mechanism, communicate on its risks and benefits, and jointly prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trial. China and the United States are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It is the common responsibility of both sides to maintain the post-war international order and prevent the resurgence of militarism.

China and the United States will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit respectively in the fourth quarter of this year. The two heads of state confirmed their mutual support and continued to inject momentum into Asia-Pacific cooperation and global governance.

Wang Yi finally said that this historic visit has enriched the connotation of China-US constructive strategic and stable relations, maintained the overall stability of China-US relations, created and written a new era of China-US relations, and will have a profound impact on world peace and development. From "meeting in Beijing" to "meeting in Washington", President Xi Jinping has always led the steady and long-term development of Sino-US relations with a far-sighted strategic vision and a broad mind that can benefit the world. President Xi Jinping's calm and confident leadership style has left a deep impression on all walks of life in the United States, inspired the American people's enthusiasm to get closer to and perceive China, and sown the seeds of friendship in American society. In just one month, President Xi Jinping visited neighboring countries three times, reaching out to neighboring countries, linking up with the global South, and planning the overall diplomatic situation. This made China's ideas more popular, its role as a major power more prominent, and its international influence further enhanced. We must continue to deeply understand and practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, with a higher spirit and a firmer will to fight, and strive to create a new situation in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, so as to create a more favorable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.