Xinhua News Agency, Washington, September 24
Toast at the welcome banquet held by US President Trump
(September 24, 2026, Washington)
President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping
Dear President Trump and Ms. Melania,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends:
Thank you to President Trump and Ms. Melania for the warm reception and considerate arrangements given to my wife and me. Mr. and Mrs. President made many special arrangements for this visit, showing meticulousness and care in every aspect, making us feel at home. Here, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to all American people from all walks of life who care about and support the development of Sino-US relations! At this moment, the Chinese people are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Chinese tradition, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival of reunion. Here, I wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a happy family!
In May this year, President Trump successfully visited China at my invitation, and we agreed to build a constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States. At that time, President Trump warmly invited me to visit the United States, and now I have come as promised. In less than half a year, the heads of state of China and the United States have exchanged visits, creating a history of exchanges between the two countries. Today I had a candid and in-depth exchange with President Trump and reached many new consensuses, which enriched the connotation of China-US constructive strategic and stable relations and provided new strategic guidance for China-US relations.
Not long ago, the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary of independence. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to express my congratulations. This 200-year history has witnessed the friendly exchanges between the people of China and the United States.
More than 200 years ago, when the United States became independent, it set its sights on China. China and the United States exchanged their needs and complemented each other's advantages, opening up trade exchanges. President Washington purchased and collected a large number of Chinese porcelain.
More than 80 years ago, the people of China and the United States fought side by side to fight against the Japanese militarist invaders and opened up the famous Hump Route. During the Anti-Japanese War, the Chinese military and civilians rescued hundreds of American pilots at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. This friendship forged by blood and fire will be passed down from generation to generation.
More than 50 years ago, the ping-pong diplomacy between China and the United States opened the door to long-standing exchanges. Politicians of the older generation, such as Chairman Mao Zedong and President Nixon, started the great process of normalizing Sino-US relations with the political wisdom of "turning the small ball into the big ball". The redwood trees that were a special national gift from President Nixon were planted in Zhejiang Province where I worked.
More than 20 years ago, an American named Sycos funded Chinese sand control expert Yin Yuzhen to plant trees. Not long ago, this old man returned to China and saw with his own eyes that the desert back then had turned into a lush forest. This story touched many Chinese people and is an example of friendly exchanges between the people of China and the United States.
Sino-US cultural exchanges are conducive to promoting spiritual communication between the two peoples and laying a solid public opinion foundation for Sino-US friendly cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
Review the past and learn the new. Today, Sino-US relations stand at a new historical starting point. President Trump proposed making America great again and led the American people to achieve important development achievements. China is committed to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and its Chinese-style modernization drive continues to create new situations. Both goals are ambitious and can achieve each other. We should show our responsibility as a major country, 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 with each other correctly.
The long river of history flows endlessly, and the friendship between the peoples of China and the United States has broad prospects. Let us join hands to water the beautiful flowers of Sino-US friendship and write a new chapter of Sino-US friendship.
I propose:
Good health to President Trump and Ms. Melania,
For the prosperity and progress of China and the United States,
For the friendship between the two peoples,
Cheers!
