President Xi calls on China and U.S. to build mutual trust, find right way to get along

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and the United States to make progress step-by-step to build mutual trust, and find the right way to get along, during his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone.

Xi said that over the past year, he and President Trump 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, he said.

Xi expressed hope to work with President Trump to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations steadily forward through winds and storms and accomplish more big things and good things.

"Just as the U.S. has its concerns, China, for its part, also has concerns," Xi noted, adding that China always means what it says and matches its words with actions and results.

As long as the two countries work in the same direction in the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, they can find solutions to address each other's concerns, he said.

Both China and the U.S. have important items on their agendas this year, Xi said, noting that China will kick off its 15th Five-Year Plan and that the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.

He added that China will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, and the U.S. will host the G20 Summit.

Xi urged the two sides to enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, and expand practical cooperation. "It is always right to do a good thing, however small, and always wrong to do a bad thing, however small," he said.

Xi also called for making 2026 a year where the two major countries advance toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Speaking of the Taiwan question, the Chinese president stressed that it is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations, adding that Taiwan is part of China's territory, that China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that China will never allow Taiwan to be separated.

He urged the U.S. side to handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.

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

Trump said he has a great relationship with President Xi and a lot of respect for President Xi. "Under our leadership, the U.S. and China are doing well in economy and trade. I want to see China succeed."

He went on to say that the U.S. would like to work with China and make more progress in bilateral ties, adding that he understands how China feels about the Taiwan question and would like the two sides to continue talking to each other and keep the relationship in good shape during his presidency.