US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China’s Xi Jinping their countries would have “a fantastic future together”, as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan.

Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was “an honour to be your friend”, as the Chinese leader, in less effusive tones, said the two sides “should be partners and not rivals”.

Xi had greeted Trump with a red carpet welcome at the opulent Great Hall of the People with military band fanfare, a gun salute and a host of schoolchildren jumping and chanting “welcome!”.

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Header image: Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. —Reuters