Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for a state visit to the United States

Chinese and U.S. Heads of State Jointly Lead the Building of a Constructive Strategic Stable Relationship

On the afternoon of September 23 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington by special plane at the invitation of U.S. President Trump for a state visit to the United States. This marks another face-to-face exchange between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state following their meeting in Beijing in May this year, signaling the continued advancement of the constructive strategic stable relationship between China and the United States.

High-Level Courtesies Underscore the Importance of China-U.S. RelationsUpon President

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan’s arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, President Trump and First Lady Melania warmly welcomed them. Trump said he was delighted to receive President Xi Jinping and Ms. Peng Liyuan in Washington, describing it as a visit of worldwide attention. He stated that President Xi is a great leader, that this is a great moment, and that he looked forward to in-depth exchanges of views with President Xi to advance bilateral relations.American children presented flowers to Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan. Honor guards stood in formation along both sides of the red carpet in salute, a military band played the national anthems of China and the United States, a 21-gun salute was fired, and fighter jets conducted a flyover in tribute. This series of high-standard courtesies reflected the U.S. side’s high regard for China-U.S. relations and the international community’s general expectation for positive interaction between the two major countries.

Written Remarks Clarify the Way for China and the U.S. to Get Along

At the airport, Xi Jinping delivered written remarks, extending sincere greetings and best wishes to the American people on behalf of the Chinese people. Xi pointed out that both China and the United States are great countries, and both the Chinese and American peoples are great peoples. The peoples of the two countries have long engaged in friendly exchanges, and their interests are deeply intertwined; the two countries should be partners rather than rivals.Xi stressed that realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can fully proceed in parallel, reinforce each other, and benefit the world. This important statement provides strategic guidance for the development of China-U.S. relations and makes clear that the two major countries can fully blaze a correct path of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Constructive Strategic Stable Relationship Continues to DeepenIn his remarks, Xi reviewed the important consensus reached by the two sides during President Trump’s visit to China in May this year. At that time, the two heads of state agreed to build a constructive strategic stable relationship between China and the United States, providing strategic guidance for the future development of bilateral relations. The Washington meeting is a further implementation and deepening of this consensus.Xi pointed out that China and the United States should work toward each other and promote the formation of a stable relationship characterized by cooperation as the mainstream, competition within bounds, controllable differences, and foreseeable peace, so as to blaze a correct path for the two major countries to get along in the new era. This formulation clearly defines the target form of China-U.S. relations and provides a clear framework for both sides to manage differences and expand cooperation.Xi emphasized that the world is developing and the times are changing, yet the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States has not changed, the Chinese and American peoples’ good wish for friendly exchanges has not changed, and the international community’s general expectation of the two countries has not changed. This judgment of the “three unchanged” reflects China’s strategic resolve and confidence in the long-term development of China-U.S. relations.

Significance of the Visit Goes Beyond the Bilateral Sphere

Xi said he looked forward to in-depth exchanges with President Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and the world situation, continuously enriching the connotations of the China-U.S. constructive strategic stable relationship, and expanding space for exchanges and cooperation in various fields. He also looked forward to extensive contacts with people from all walks of life in the United States to deepen friendship. Xi expressed his belief that, with joint efforts from both sides, this visit would surely yield fruitful results, enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and add hope to world peace.Against the backdrop of the complex evolution of the current international situation, the interaction between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state not only concerns the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also has an important impact on global stability and prosperity. The international community is generally watching whether this visit can achieve substantive progress on issues such as economic and trade cooperation, climate change, and regional hotspots, so as to inject more certainty and stability into a world undergoing turbulence and transformation.Accompanying officials including Cai Qi and Wang Yi arrived on the same plane. He Lifeng, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, who had arrived earlier, and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also greeted them at the airport.As Xi Jinping traveled by car from the airport to his hotel, representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese students gathered along the roadside, waving the national flags of China and the United States to warmly welcome President Xi’s visit.