Xi says ready to work with Trump to steer giant ship of China-U.S. ties steadily forward

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that he hopes to work with U.S. President Donald Trump in the new year to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations steadily forward through wind and storms, and accomplish more big things and good things.

During his talks with Trump over phone, Xi noted that he attaches great importance to China-U.S. relations, saying that over the past year, he and Trump have enjoyed sound communication, and had a successful meeting in Busan, charting the direction and course for China-U.S. relations. This has been welcomed by the people of both countries and the broader international community.

Just as the United States has its concerns, China for its part also has concerns, he said.

China always means what it says and matches its words with actions and results. If the two sides work in the same direction in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, we can surely find ways to address each other's concerns, Xi said.

The Chinese president said that both China and the United States have important items on their agenda this year -- China will kick off its 15th Five-Year Plan, and the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.

China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and the United States, the G20 Summit, he added.

The two sides should follow the common understandings we have reached, enhance dialogue and communication, manage differences properly, and expand practical cooperation, Xi said.

It is always right to do a good thing, however small, and always wrong to do a bad thing, however small, he said, noting that the two sides should make progress step by step to build mutual trust, find the right way to get along, and make 2026 a year where the two major countries advance toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Xi emphasized that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. Taiwan is China's territory, and China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow Taiwan to be separated, he said.

The United States must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence, Xi said.

For his part, Trump said that both the United States and China are great countries, and the U.S.-China relationship is by far the most important in the world.

Trump also said he has a great relationship with Xi and a lot of respect for him. Under their leadership, the United States and China are doing well in such fields as economy and trade, he added.

Noting that he wants to see China succeed, Trump said the United States would like to work with China and make more progress in bilateral ties.

Trump said that he understands how China feels about the Taiwan question.

He would like the two sides to continue talking to each other and keep the U.S.-China relationship in good shape during his presidency, Trump added.

Xi says ready to work with Trump to steer giant ship of China-U.S. ties steadily forward

Xi holds phone talks with Trump

The World Governments Summit 2026 opened in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, drawing a record number of world leaders, government ministers, and key policymakers to discuss issues surrounding global governance at a time of significant geopolitical turmoil.

The three-day summit has brought together more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, as well as over 500 ministers, and representatives from more than 150 nations, according to organizers, making this the largest ever gathering since the event's inception back in 2013.

Held under the theme "Shaping Future Governments," attendees will conduct in-depth discussions around five core topics -- global governance and effective leadership, societal wellbeing and capacity building, economic prosperity and emerging opportunities, urban futures and evolving demographics and future realities and next frontiers.

More than 6,000 participants are taking part in the event, which focuses on future governance, international cooperation, trade, and climate change. Organizers say the agenda has been designed to address pressing global economic, technological, and social challenges.

A primary focus within the broader field of economic governance remains the resilience and management of global supply chains, which have already faced disruption over the last year in the wake of U.S. tariffs and other challenges.

John Denton, Secretary General of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, praised China's efforts in maintaining the stability of global supply chains amid these difficulties. He said he frequently attends the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, the world's first state-level expo dedicated to global supply chains.

"I participate on an annual basis in the supply chain conference in China, and one of the points we always make there is that if you want that supply chain to function properly you need to ensure that it's resilient. And increasingly, what we are trying to help is encouraging access on the basis that there will be sustainable supply chains, so that there will be investment in green supply chains, etc. And that's actually important for developing and emerging economies, their ability to participate that in that as well. And I see an openness in China to engage in that discussion, and I see evidence of that happening on the ground as well," said Denton.

The Dubai summit also features 24 global forums, and is hosting multiple thematic discussions covering areas such as global trade and logistics, artificial intelligence and future technologies.

Organizers also note the event will feature dozens of high-level ministerial meetings and the release of a series of research reports developed in coordination with international partners.

World Governments Summit opens in Dubai with record int'l participation