Trump and Xi exchange warm words at White House state dinner amid lingering tensions

US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping exchanged warm words at a lavish White House state dinner but gave little indication of progress on pressing issues.

Xi stressed that the countries should ensure AI remain "under human control" and act "as responsible major countries", while Trump toasted a future of "harmony, peace and success" for both nations.

But tensions remain despite the diplomatic niceties, including over Taiwan - with Xi urging Trump earlier in the day to take the "correct position" on the self-governing island which Beijing claims as its own, amid a major weapons package paused by Trump.

Billionaire business leaders, Trump administration officials and US tech CEOs were among the dinner's guests.

Their arrival was marked, however, by protesters shouting from just outside, some of whom were arrested.

Addressing those gathered late on Thursday, Trump thanked Xi for making the long trip to the US, and said the relationship between the two men was strong.

"We've never gotten along better," Trump said.

He praised the long history of US-China relations, although he did take an unscripted detour to praise his ongoing ballroom project.

In the off-the-cuff moment, he said as a "special treat" the Chinese leader and his wife could be the first to enter the ballroom, which is still a year away from completion.

"Anybody who wants to walk into a construction site that's nice and clean and sparkling, it's our honour to have you do so," he said.

He also presented Xi with a sculpture of a bald eagle, America's national symbol, saying it embodied "the free and soaring spirit of America".

"We hope it will find a nice, wonderful place in Beijing. It's your honour," he said.

Trump added that he and First Lady Melania had participated in the design of the sculpture.

Xi meanwhile thanked his hosts for receiving him and his wife with "meticulous care and consideration", making them "feel truly at home".

He said the two leaders were "making history in our bilateral engagements".

"We agreed to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability," Xi said, adding that the two shared "sincere and in-depth exchanges" that would strengthen relations between the two countries.

Like Trump's, Xi's remarks were heavy on flattery, focusing on cultural ties and shared history between the US and China.

The relationship between the two countries was "forged in blood and fire" during the fight against Japan in World War Two, before being furthered during the "ping pong" diplomacy of the Nixon administration, he said.

Towards the end of his speech, Xi said the US and China's goals could be "mutually reinforcing". He urged both sides to explore a "new approach for major countries to get along".

Trump and Xi will begin their day with tea at the White House's Red Room with their wives.

The group then head to the US National Archives for a tour of the building and its exhibits.

Formally called the National Archives and Records Administration, the building holds some of the most important documents regarding the founding of the United States - including the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

Xi and his wife will depart Washington later in the day.