Xi praises Trump’s efforts for peacemaking

(MENAFN) Chinese President Xi Jinping commended US President Donald Trump for his efforts toward global peace during their meeting on Thursday in the South Korean port city of Busan.

"You care a lot about world peace, and you're very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues. I appreciate your great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement," Xi told Trump.

Xi also highlighted Trump’s involvement in mediating a peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand, which was signed the previous Sunday after months of border violence between the two Southeast Asian nations.
Their encounter marked the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies in six years, following their last discussion at the G20 summit in Osaka in 2019.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi told Trump.

Acknowledging the occasional tensions between Beijing and Washington, Xi remarked that differences were natural. "Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then," he said.

According to reports, Xi referred to the recent discussions between Chinese and US trade negotiators — including meetings in Malaysia — as “encouraging progress,” adding that they helped create a “solid foundation” for ongoing dialogue.

"In the face of winds, waves and challenges, you and I at the helm of China-US relations should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations,” Xi stressed.

China and the US can “jointly work to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world,” Xi told Trump.

"I always believe that China's development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again," the Chinese leader said, noting that both nations could help one another thrive. "Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together. Over the years, I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands," he added.

"I'm ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries,” Xi told Trump.

Trump expressed optimism about the meeting’s results, noting that both delegations had already settled on numerous points. "President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it's an honor to have you with us," he told reporters.

The two leaders arrived in South Korea ahead of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, where Xi is scheduled to attend and Trump met with regional business executives earlier in the week.

Before the formal talks began, Trump remarked, "we're going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt." He joked with reporters, saying, "But he's a very tough negotiator. That's not good," while emphasizing their long-standing rapport: "We know each other well. We have a great understanding. We have a great relationship. We've always had a great relationship."

The meeting lasted around 100 minutes, ending with both leaders leaving the venue together after exchanging a handshake and brief pleasantries. Trump later departed for the United States, while Xi continued his official visit in South Korea before attending the APEC summit.

Details of any agreements reached during the session were not immediately disclosed.

According to reports, the meeting followed two days of negotiations in Malaysia between a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng and a US team headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. Bessent said the discussions resulted in a “very substantial” framework for the leaders to finalize, including trade and tariff matters.

Trump also hinted that a decision regarding TikTok’s US ownership could be made during his discussions with Xi.

Since Trump’s return to the White House for a second term earlier this year, he and Xi have spoken by phone three times and exchanged letters, Xi noted. Trump’s South Korea visit wrapped up a week-long Asian tour that began in Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, followed by meetings in Japan with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, American troops, and Japanese business representatives.

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