Xi Jinping on Thursday warned US President Donald Trump that mishandling the issue of Taiwan could push China and the United States into conflict, as both leaders opened high-stakes talks in Beijing.
The warning came during the opening session of a major summit between the two global powers, marking Trump’s first visit to China as president and the first by a sitting US leader in nearly a decade.
According to remarks released by Chinese state media, Xi described Taiwan as the most sensitive issue in China-US relations.
“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Xi said during talks held at the Great Hall of the People.
“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” the Chinese leader added.
Despite the strong warning, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone upon arrival, describing Xi as a “great leader” and a “friend,” while expressing optimism about future ties between both nations.
“The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said during the elaborate state reception.
Xi, however, urged both countries to avoid rivalry and confrontation, stressing the need for cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
“China and the United States should be partners and not rivals,” he said, while referencing the “Thucydides Trap,” an ancient political theory suggesting that conflict can occur when a rising power challenges an established global power.
“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi stated.
Trump received a ceremonial welcome in Beijing featuring a military band, gun salute, red-carpet reception, and schoolchildren waving flags and chanting greetings.
However, beneath the diplomatic pageantry remain major disagreements over trade, technology, regional security, and Taiwan.
Relations between China and the United States have remained tense throughout 2025, with both countries engaged in an escalating trade dispute and clashing on several global geopolitical issues.
Analysts say the summit could prove critical in determining the future direction of relations between the two superpowers amid growing global economic and security uncertainty.
