Xi Jinping: China–US Shared Interests Outweigh Differences Trump: There Will Be a Bright Future

President Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, stressing that the common interests between China and the United States far outweigh their differences and that a stable China-US relationship serves the interests of the whole world. Both sides, he said, should be partners rather than rivals.

President Xi noted that transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world? Can we build a bright future together for our bilateral relations in the interest of the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that the leaders of major countries need to answer together.

President Xi stressed that China and the United States have more common interests than differences, that each country's success is an opportunity rather than a threat to the other, and that a stable China-US relationship serves the interests of the world as a whole. Both sides should be partners, not adversaries — achieving mutual success and shared prosperity, and forging the right way for major countries to get along in the new era. 

President Xi said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Trump on major issues concerning both countries and the world, and stands ready to work together with President Trump to set the course and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations, so as to make 2026 a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations.

US President Donald Trump said during the bilateral meeting that he has known President Xi Jinping for a long time, and that even when difficulties arise, the two sides are able to resolve them expeditiously, in which he has full confidence in a bright future for both countries. Trump once again spoke highly of Xi Jinping as a great leader, and said he was honoured to be his friend. He noted that the US side has brought with it a number of business leaders on this visit, and expressed the hope that the meeting will further elevate US-China relations.

Nameplates at the meeting showed that those present included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Also on the list was US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had just concluded the seventh round of China-US economic and trade consultations the previous day.

Accompanying President Trump on his visit to China were his second son Eric Trump and a delegation of more than a dozen American business representatives from sectors including science and technology, finance, aviation and agriculture, among them Apple CEO Tim Cook, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

At a time when global economic uncertainty continues to rise, many American companies have chosen to continue developing in step with the Chinese market. These enterprises have benefited from China’s opening-up and attach great importance to the enormous opportunities in the Chinese market. American business and academic figures told Xinhua in earlier interviews that the stable and sound development of China-US economic and trade relations not only concerns the companies themselves, but will also have a profound impact on global economic growth, the stability of production and supply chains, and confidence in international markets. 

Dennis Simon, Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told Xinhua that China–US economic cooperation has proven more resilient than many observers expected. “A stable U.S.-China relationship will significantly improve the business outlook for multinational corporations, reduce uncertainties in global supply chains, and thereby boost confidence in international markets.” 

Former US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said: A more stable and constructive U.S.-China trade and economic relationship will benefit the entire world. Teng Shaojun, President of the US–China Public Affairs Association, added that stable ties give businesses a predictable operating environment. “For American companies, the Chinese market is one where they need to learn, adapt, and jointly innovate. By leveraging their respective strengths and cooperating, both countries’ enterprises stand to gain mutual benefits.”

Thomas Fingar, former US Assistant Secretary of State and fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, made a telling observation. Despite frictions in economic and trade relations, many US companies with production bases in China have not withdrawn — they have grown alongside the Chinese market. That staying power, Fingar said, underscores just how solid the foundations of the bilateral relationship truly are.

The message from the US business community is unmistakable: the cooperation space between China and America is vast. More and more American business and academic voices advocate planning the future on the basis of shared interests — handling differences and frictions with an open, pragmatic approach. 

The wider expectation, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, is that China and the US will hold to engagement over confrontation, and win-win outcomes over zero-sum competition — expanding the list of cooperation, shortening the list of problems, and contributing constructively to the future of both economies and the world.

Mao Paishou

** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **

China took the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council on 1 May. At a press conference that day, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, laid out the Council's priorities for the month. He also fielded questions on the US's chronic arrears in UN dues, the US-Iran ceasefire, and regional tensions. Fu was blunt: because the US refuses to pay, other countries need to step up — and China is ready to do exactly that. He added that China will work to sustain the US-Iran ceasefire and help cool regional flashpoints.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong

Under UN rules, each member state's annual assessed contribution is calculated based on capacity to pay. The US, as the largest contributor, is assessed at 22%. China comes in second at 20%. The US, however, has chronically withheld its dues, heaping financial pressure on the organisation. Reuters reported that as of early February this year, the US owed $2.19 billion in arrears to the UN's regular budget — accounting for over 95% of all outstanding dues globally — along with $2.4 billion in peacekeeping costs and $43.6 million in UN tribunal fees.

Under UN rules, each member state's annual assessed contribution is calculated based on "capacity to pay"

Speaking to international media at the United Nations, Fu put it plainly: “The US is number one, but they’re not paying so China is already de facto number one,” he said. “If the US withdraws, of course other countries need to step up, and China will be happy to step up.” He added that this is not a zero-sum game between China and the US. China has consistently paid its dues in full and on time. On 30 October last year, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq publicly thanked China for its payment of $685.73 million, stressing that all member states should pay in full and on time.

The US government, meanwhile, is not just sitting on its arrears — it is actually weaponising them. Documents obtained by independent news platform Devex reveal that Washington recently issued two diplomatic notes demanding the UN implement nine reform measures before it would pay up. The demands include reforming the UN pension system, ending business-class travel for all mid-level officials and some senior officials on long-haul flights, and further reducing senior positions. The US also pledged an "additional and substantial" contribution to the peacekeeping budget, on the condition that the UN cuts "long-running and ineffective peacekeeping missions" by 10%.

The documents specifically singled out China, demanding that the UN block Beijing from making annual contributions to discretionary funds managed by the Secretary-General's office. Both Reuters and Devex identified this move as a transparent attempt to curb China's influence at the United Nations.

Washington claimed that implementing these reforms would demonstrate the UN's seriousness about change. UN Secretary-General António Guterres pushed back on 30 April, stating that paying dues is a mandatory, non-negotiable obligation for all member states.

The US-Iran military conflict

On the US-Iran military conflict and ceasefire negotiations, Fu said China will use its month-long presidency to push for de-escalation across the region and the restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. "We will do our best to work with our American friends," he said. "Frankly speaking, we are deeply troubled by some of the statements we have heard recently, which suggest the ceasefire is merely temporary and advocate launching a new round of attacks." Fu stressed that maintaining the ceasefire is the most urgent priority, that both sides must negotiate in good faith, and that the international community should rally against any resumption of hostilities.

Fu rejected US sanctions on Chinese companies over alleged links to Iran, calling the accusations baseless and the sanctioning of Chinese vessels and companies unjust. The Iran war, he said, is the most glaring example of unilateralism, power politics, and bullying on the rise — gravely undermining the rule of law in international affairs.

The Iran war is the most glaring example of unilateralism, power politics, and bullying on the rise — gravely undermining the rule of law in international affairs.

Fu also outlined a packed Security Council agenda for the month. The Council will take up the Israel-Palestine situation, Syria, Lebanon, and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. China will closely monitor all flashpoint situations, urge parties to exercise restraint, push for ceasefires, and advance political settlement processes through dialogue and negotiation. China has also proposed a high-level open Security Council debate on 26 May, themed "Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International System." The debate aims to encourage nations to revisit the founding spirit of the Charter, defend the outcomes of World War II, and reinvigorate the UN's central role in the international order.

Fu said China will fulfil its duties in a responsible and constructive manner — upholding justice, openness, and transparency, engaging broadly with all parties, and building the widest possible consensus. The goal is to push the Security Council toward greater solidarity, keep it focused on the issues that matter, and deliver concrete action that meets the expectations of the international community.