Xi willing to work with Trump for stable US-China ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed readiness on Saturday to work with US President-elect Donald Trump in maintaining stable relations between the two nations.

Speaking at the start of a bilateral meeting in Lima with outgoing US President Joe Biden, Xi said he hoped for “a steady transition” of the China-US relations for the benefit of the two peoples.

“The United States has recently concluded its elections. China’s goal of a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged,” Xi said.

“China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation, and manage differences so as to strive for a steady transition of the China-US relationship for the benefit of the two peoples.”

He called for “wise decisions” and efforts to explore ways for the two global powers to coexist peacefully and achieve lasting stability.

Xi and Biden agreed that their bilateral relationship remains critical for global stability.

This meeting marked the third high-level dialogue between the two leaders during Biden’s term and underscored the necessity of such exchanges to prevent global instability.

He warned against viewing each other as adversaries, pursuing “perverse competition,” or undermining each other, stating such actions would set back relations and global peace.

The Chinese leader also highlighted the need for collaboration amid “unprecedented challenges” facing the world.

On Thursday, Xi called Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to advocate for continued stability in US-China ties.

Biden, set to leave office in January after Trump’s election victory 11 days ago, reflected on his tenure and relationship with Xi. “We haven’t always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and always been frank. We have never kidded one another. We’ve been level with one another. And I think that’s vital,” he said from the meeting venue at Lima’s Hotel Delfines.

The outgoing president emphasized the importance of high-level dialogue to prevent miscalculations and ensure that competition between the two nations does not escalate into conflict.

“And that’s our responsibility to our people and, as you indicated, to the people around the world. We are the most important alliance or most important relationship in the entire world. And how we get along together is going to impact the rest of the world,” Biden said.

Biden also highlighted progress achieved with Beijing during his administration, including advances in military communication, joint efforts against drug trafficking, and developments in security and artificial intelligence.