Xi Jinping Calls for US-China Peace, Dialogue and Cooperation at White House

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for peaceful coexistence, continued dialogue and greater cooperation between China and the United States during his state visit to the White House. Xi made the remarks on September 24, 2026, during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The visit marked Xi’s first return to the White House since 2015, when Barack Obama was president.

Speaking alongside Trump, Xi said the two countries should strengthen communication and use continued dialogue to better understand their differences and build mutual trust. “We should coexist in peace,” Xi said, arguing that China and the United States have much to gain from cooperation and much to lose through confrontation.

Xi acknowledged that competition between Washington and Beijing will continue, but said it should remain within limits.

He called for the two countries to maintain regular military communication and improve mechanisms for preventing and managing crises. He also warned against a potential “Thucydides Trap” — a term used to describe the risk of conflict when a rising power challenges an established one.

The Chinese president said both countries should seek common ground while managing their differences rather than allowing competition to develop into direct confrontation.

Economic cooperation was also a major theme of Xi’s message. He said China would keep its market open to American companies and called for Chinese businesses to receive fair treatment in the United States. Xi also suggested that the two countries could expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment, law enforcement and travel.

The remarks came as Washington and Beijing continue to compete over trade, advanced technology and artificial intelligence.

The two governments have recently worked to prevent their economic rivalry from escalating into another broad trade confrontation, while disagreements remain over technology, AI, Taiwan and other geopolitical issues.

Xi also pointed to artificial intelligence as an area where the two countries have both capabilities and responsibilities. He said China and the United States should work toward developing and managing AI in ways that keep humans in control and serve the interests of people. The issue is particularly significant because Washington and Beijing are competing heavily for leadership in advanced AI technology.

Despite Xi’s call for cooperation, the meeting does not eliminate the major differences between the two governments.

The United States and China remain strategic competitors in technology, trade and security, while issues including Taiwan and relations with Iran continue to create tension. Still, Xi argued that the two countries can manage their competition without allowing it to become a direct conflict.

“China and the United States must hold the line of no conflict and no confrontation,” Xi said, adding that the two sides can find a way for the two countries to coexist.

The White House meeting therefore comes at a significant moment in US-China relations, with both governments seeking to maintain dialogue while navigating competition over trade, technology and global influence.