China's Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump that trade talks were making progress at the start of a two-day summit on Thursday but warned that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path, Reuters reported.
The Chinese leader's remarks set the stage for what Trump described as possibly the "biggest summit ever" following a pomp-filled reception at Beijing's imposing Great Hall of the People.
With Trump's approval ratings dented by his Iran war, the first visit by a U.S. president to America's main strategic rival since his last trip there in 2017 has taken on added significance.
After an opening ceremony that featured an honour guard and throngs of children excitedly waving flowers and flags, Xi began the summit by telling Trump that stable relations between the world's two biggest economies benefit the entire world.
"When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer," he said in brief remarks that were open to media.
"You're a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway," Trump responded. "There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever," he added.
Xi said negotiations between U.S. and Chinese economic and trade teams in South Korea on Wednesday had reached "overall balanced and positive outcomes", according to a readout by China's foreign ministry.
The negotiations had aimed to maintain the trade truce struck between Trump and Xi last October and establish mechanisms to support future trade and investment, officials with knowledge of the matter said.
Xi also broached the subject of Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by China and armed by the United States.
The Chinese leader told Trump that Taiwan was the most important issue in U.S.-China relations and if handled poorly could lead to conflict and an extremely dangerous situation, according to the Chinese readout of the talks, which concluded after a little over two hours.
Trump did not respond when a reporter later shouted a question about whether they had discussed Taiwan as he posed for photos with Xi at the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once prayed for good harvests.
The leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in trade and agriculture and exchanged views on the situations in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean peninsula, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Trump and Xi will later attend a state banquet before taking tea and lunch together on Friday.
Joining Trump on the trip are a group of CEOs looking to resolve issues with China, including Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a late addition. Trump has said his first request to Xi will be to "open up" China to U.S. industry.
Trump introduced the executives to Xi during the talks. China's door of openness will only open wider, and U.S. companies are deeply involved in China's reform and opening-up, Xi told Trump, according to the Chinese readout.
Follow the latest news on Google News
