Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The meeting comes amid what Xi described as an accelerating transformation not seen in a century, with the international situation fluid and turbulent.
Key Questions for Major Countries
President Xi posed three critical questions: whether China and the United States can overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations; whether they can meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world; and whether they can build a bright future together for their bilateral relations in the interest of the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity. He stressed that these are questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people, and that leaders of major countries need to answer them together.
Setting the Course
Xi expressed his hope to work with Trump to set the course and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations, aiming to make 2026 a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in bilateral ties. According to the Chinese leader, both sides have agreed to work toward building a bilateral relationship of constructive strategic stability.
Characteristics of Constructive Strategic Stability
Xi elaborated on the new characterization, which he said will provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond. He described it as:
- A positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay
- A sound stability with moderate competition
- A constant stability with manageable differences
- An enduring stability with promises of peace
He emphasized that building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability should not be a mere slogan, but concrete action taken by both sides toward the same goal. The international community, as well as the people of both countries, should welcome this new direction.
