US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a warm and optimistic tone during their high-level meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, with both leaders emphasizing cooperation over confrontation despite tensions over trade, technology and regional security.Xi rolled out the red carpet and held a ceremonial military guard of honor for his US counterpart Donald Trump.Follow live updates on Trump’s China visitThe meeting was Trump’s first visit to China during his second term as president and attracted global attention as the two countries attempted to reset ties between the world’s two largest economies.Opening the talks, Trump praised the welcome given to him and the US delegation, calling it “an honor the likes of which has never been seen before.”Trump said, “Well, President Xi, I want to thank you very much. First of all, this was an honor like very few people have ever seen before.”Trump also praised the Chinese military and said that he was impressed by the children who participated in the welcoming ceremony.He said, “I think I was particularly impressed by those kids. They were happy. They were beautiful. The Army is obvious. It couldn’t have been better. But those kids were amazing, and they represent so much.”In his opening remarks, Xi said the entire world was closely watching the meeting and viewed the talks as a defining moment for future global stability.“Welcome to China after 9 years. The whole world is watching our meeting. At present, changes not seen in a century are sweeping the world, and the international situation is unstable and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations?…”Xi also called for stronger cooperation between Beijing and Washington and warned against rivalry between the two powers.He said, “Can we together face global challenges and provide greater stability to the world? Can we build a brighter future for our bilateral relations, in the interest of the well-being of both our peoples and the future of humanity? These are important questions for history, the world and people.” These are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries… I always believe that there are more common interests than differences between our two countries. Success in one is an opportunity for the other. And a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. Both China and the United States would gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We must help each other succeed and prosper and find the right path for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era…”The Chinese President further expressed hope that the talks would open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.Xi said, “Mr. President, I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world and to working together with you to further advance the great ship of China-US relations so as to make 2026 a landmark year that opens a new chapter in China-US relations.”Meanwhile, Trump highlighted his long personal relationship with Xi and said the two leaders have always managed to resolve differences head-on.The MAGA supremo said, “You and I have known each other for a long time. In fact, this is the longest relationship between any president and president between our two countries. And it is an honor for me. We have had a wonderful relationship. We have been together. When there were difficulties, we worked.” I will call you, and you will call me. Whenever any problem came between us, we resolved it immediately and we will have a wonderful future together...”Praising Xi’s leadership, Trump said, “So much respect for China, the work you’ve done. You’re a great leader. I tell that to everybody.”Trump also pointed to the presence of top US business leaders in his delegation and said they were eager to expand trade ties with China.He said, “We have the greatest businessmen, the biggest and I think the best businessmen in the world. We have amazing people and they are all with me.”Describing the summit as potentially historic, Trump said, “There are people who say this is probably the biggest summit they’ve ever had. They can’t ever remember anything like it.”Concluding his remarks, Trump said, “It’s an honor to be your friend and the relationship between China and the United States is going to be better than ever.”Earlier, Xi formally welcomed Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two leaders shook hands warmly before Trump met with members of Xi’s Cabinet ahead of closed-door discussions.