Xi says China, US should be 'partners rather than rivals'

• Xi emphasized that the Chinese and American peoples share long-standing friendly ties and deeply intertwined interests.
• The statement followed a rare personal airport greeting by US President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the United States and China to pursue bilateral cooperation as "partners rather than rivals," Chinese state media reported Wednesday evening, shortly after his arrival in the U.S. capital.

In written remarks published by state news agency Xinhua following his arrival, President Xi outlined a vision for constructive relations between the world's two largest economies.

"Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals," Xi stated. "The Chinese and US peoples have enjoyed long-standing friendly exchanges, and our interests are deeply intertwined."

State visit opens 

President Xi expressed confidence that through joint efforts, his state visit to Washington would yield "fruitful" results for both nations.

The Chinese leader's remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Joint Base Andrews to greet President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, directly on the tarmac.

The rare personal welcome at the airfield initiated a three-day state visit featuring formal ceremonies, military flyovers, and high-level bilateral discussions aimed at managing ongoing tensions over trade, artificial intelligence, and regional security concerns.