China’s leader says US and China must act together as ‘responsible powers’

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The remarks from President Xi Jinping came during a state dinner hosted by his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House.

Mr Xi said both nations “must act as responsible major countries to meet the expectations of our peoples.”

Mr Trump responded by toasting a future of “harmony, peace and success” between China and the US.

Both leaders pledged to ensure stability between them, but experts have cautioned that Mr Xi’s visit is yet to yield obvious progress on pressing issues.

The dinner guests included billionaire business leaders, Trump administration officials and US tech CEOs.

Mr Trump thanked Mr Xi for making the long trip to the US, and praised “the strong” relationship between the two men.

The US president went on to praise the long history of US-China relations.

Mr 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.”

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

Towards the end of his speech, Mr Xi said the US and China’s goals could be “mutually reinforcing.”

The Chinese president urged both sides to explore a “new approach for major countries to get along.”

Mr Xi noted in his speech that “President Trump has pledged to make America great again” and that “China is committed to achieving the ‘great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’.”

“These two goals are both ambitious and can mutually reinforce each other,” he said.

In a closed-door meeting between the two leaders, Mr Xi reportedly urged Mr Trump to “prudently handle the Taiwan issue,” according to Chinese broadcaster China Central Television.

Beijing has repeatedly warned the US and other nations off interfering in its domestic affairs.

The US has continued to provide Taiwan with military support. But China has repeatedly pressed Washington to permanently halt the arms sales.

The ongoing conflict in Iran was also discussed, according to Chinese media.

During the talks, Mr Xi said China supports the US and Iran returning to the memorandum of understanding agreed in June in an effort to wind down the war.

The US broke the agreement soon after it was signed as the countries traded renewed fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

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