Trump pledges to work with Xi to forge better future

U.S. President Donald Trump held a welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday and pledged to work with Xi to forge a better future for both nations.

At the invitation of Trump, Xi is paying a state visit to the U.S. from Wednesday to Friday. It comes just months after Trump had himself completed a state visit to China in May.

The two heads of state each delivered addresses at the White House as part of Thursday's welcome ceremony.

In his speech, Trump thanked President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan for making this historic trip, which marks Xi's second state visit to the U.S., with the last coming back in 2015.

"President Xi and I will continue working together to forge a better future for both of our nations. President Xi, Madam Peng, thank you once again for making this historic visit and welcome to the United States of America," said Trump.

Trump pledges to work with Xi to forge better future

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 161.61 points, or 0.31 percent, to 51,349.98. The S and P 500 sank 1.9 points, or 0.02 percent, to 7,704.13. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 3.34 points, or 0.01 percent, to 26,939.37.

Seven of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in the red, with utilities and materials leading the laggards by losing 1.02 percent and 1.01 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, communication services and health led the gainers by going up 1.92 percent and 0.65 percent, respectively.

U.S. stocks close mixed