President Trump has arrived in Beijing for a multi-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In his opening remarks, Xi asked, “As the once-in-a-century transformation accelerates and the international landscape undergoes change and turmoil, the world has reached a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and establish a new paradigm for relations between great powers?” The Thucydides Trap, a theory proposed by political scientist Graham Allison, argues that when a rising power threatens an established hegemon, the risk of war between them increases significantly. <\/p>\n
XI JINPING: Good, let me say a few words first. And then I’d like to invite you, Mr. President, to deliver your opening remarks. President Trump, I’m very pleased to meet you in Beijing. Welcome back to China after nine years. The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. 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 more stability for the world? Can we, in the interests of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries. This year is the 250th anniversary of American independence. Congratulations to you and to the American people. I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era. Mr. President, I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world, and working together with you to set the course for 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-U.S. relations. I will pause here and hand over to you, Mr. President.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n