Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2026
May 14, 2026
President Xi. Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to host this state banquet in honor of President Trump during his state visit to China.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to President Trump and the U.S. delegation.
This is a historic visit. This year marks the start of China's 15th five-year plan for economic and social development, the over 1.4 billion people of China, drawing on the rich heritage of our over 5,000 years civilization, advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development.
This year is also the 250th anniversary of American independence. The over 300 million American people are reinvigorating the spirit of patriotism, innovation, and enterprise and ushering in a new journey for the development of the United States.
The people of China and the United States are both great peoples. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.
Fifty-five years ago, President Richard Nixon sent Dr. Henry Kissinger to visit China, and ping-pong diplomacy was carried out between our two countries. Through efforts of the two governments and peoples, the door that has remained frozen for over 20 years was opened, marking a milestone in contemporary international relations. From then on, China and the United States have written many chapters of friendship through mutual openness and cooperation.
Under the new situation, President Trump and I, fully aware of the expectations of our two nations and the international community, have had multiple meetings and phone calls and kept China-U.S. relations generally stable.
Today, President Trump and I had in-depth exchanges on China-U.S. relations and the international and regional dynamics. We both believe that the China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up.
Both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals.
President Trump and I also agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and bring more peace, prosperity, and progress to the world.
Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, friends, looking back at the course of China-U.S. relations, whether or not we could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily.
The world today is changing and turbulent. China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of the over 1.7 billion people of both countries and affect the interests of the over 8 billion people of the world.
Both sides should rise up to this historic responsibility and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations forward steadily and in the right direction.
Now, please join me in the toast to the development and prosperity of China and the United States and the well-being of our people, to the bright future of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between the two peoples, and to the health of President Trump and all the friends present.
Cheers. Cheers.
[At this point, President Xi offered a toast.] Moderator. Thank you, President Xi.
Next, a toast by President Trump.
President Trump. Well, thank you very much. This is a great honor. It was a fantastic day, and in particular, I want thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome—and it really was a magnificent welcome like none other—and for so graciously hosting us on this very historic state visit.
We had extremely positive and productive conversations and meetings today with the Chinese delegation earlier, and this evening is another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends some of the things that we discussed today, all good for the United States and for China. And it was a great honor to be with you. Please.
The relationship between the American and Chinese people goes all the way back to America's founding. The first American consul to China, Samuel Shaw, arrived on the first American trading ship to reach these shores in 1784. The Chinese merchants had a name for the Americans. They called their visions the "new people."
Two and a half centuries later, that first connection has grown into one of the most consequential relationships in world history.
From the beginning, our citizens have shared a deep sense of mutual respect. Founding father Benjamin Franklin published the sayings of Confucius in his colonial newspaper, and today, sculpture recognizing that ancient Chinese sage is carved into the face of the United States Supreme Court, very proudly.
The appreciation ran in both directions. Chinese admirers of President George Washington gifted a stone tablet honoring his memory to adorn the Washington Monument. It bears the words of a Chinese official who called the great general and statesman a "hero among men."
And across the centuries, this mutual esteem grew into a relationship that reflected the tremendous talent and potential of our two people. Chinese workers helped lay the railroad tracks that connected our Atlantic coast to the Pacific. American travelers to China helped spread literacy and modern medicine. And, at the request of China's ambassador, it was President Theodore Roosevelt who provided the funds to establish President Xi's alma mater, Tsinghua University.
As allies in World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt's mentions of the brave people of China—that's what they were—drew loud cheers in his speeches in the United States, and everybody loved what he had to say.
Just as many Chinese now love basketball and blue jeans, Chinese restaurants in America today outnumber the five largest fast-food chains in the United States all combined. That's a pretty big statement.
This bond of commerce and respect that stretches back 250 years is the foundation for a future that benefits both of our nations.
The American and Chinese people share much in common. We value hard work, we value courage and achievement, we love our families, and we love our countries.
Together, we have the chance to draw on these values to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation, and happiness and peace for our children. We love our children.
This region and the world—it's a special world with the two of us united and together. Thank you again, President Xi, for this beautiful welcome.
And tonight, it is my honor to extend an invitation to you and Madam Peng to visit us at the White House this September 24th, and we look forward to it.
And I'd now like to raise a glass and propose a toast to the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people. It's a very special relationship. And I want to thank you again.
This has been an amazing period of time.
Thank you, President Xi. [President Trump offered a toast.]
Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, very much.
NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 6:27 p.m. at the Great Hall of the People. In his remarks, he referred to Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping of China. President Xi and a moderator spoke in Chinese, and their remarks were translated by an interpreter.
Categories: Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : China, President Xi. Locations: Beijing, China
Names: Peng Liyuan; Xi Jinping.
Subjects: Beijing China, President Trump’s visit; China : President; China, relations with U.S.
DCPD Number: DCPD202600341.