Commitment to Steer China–U.S. Relations Safely Through Storms

Kathmandu – A telephone conversation held on Wednesday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a clear signal that China–U.S. relations will move toward stability, dialogue, and practical cooperation in the new year. Describing the relationship between the two countries as a “giant ship,” President Xi said that joint efforts are needed to keep it moving steadily and safely forward even amid strong winds and storms.

During the talks, President Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to China–U.S. relations, noting that over the past year he and President Trump have maintained continuous, positive, and effective communication. He said their meeting in Busan had charted the direction and course for bilateral relations, a development welcomed by the peoples of both countries as well as by the broader international community.

President Xi said, “Just as the United States has its own concerns, China also has its concerns. China always means what it says and proves it through actions and results.” He expressed confidence that if both sides move forward on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and shared interests, ways can certainly be found to address each other’s concerns.

Noting that this year holds important agendas for both countries, Xi said China will launch its 15th Five-Year Plan, while the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. He also pointed out that China will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and the United States will host the G20 Summit.

Xi emphasized that both sides should faithfully follow the understandings already reached, enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, and expand practical cooperation. “It is always right to do a good thing, no matter how small, and always wrong to do a bad thing, no matter how small,” he said, adding that 2026 should be made a year in which the two major countries move forward step by step toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

During the conversation, Xi highlighted the Taiwan question as the most sensitive and important issue in China–U.S. relations. Reiterating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, he said China must safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow Taiwan to be separated. He urged the United States to handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with the utmost prudence.

For his part, President Trump said that both the United States and China are great countries and that the U.S.–China relationship is by far the most important bilateral relationship in the world. He noted that he has a good relationship with President Xi and holds him in high respect, adding that under their leadership, the two countries have made positive progress in areas such as the economy and trade.

Expressing his hope to see China succeed, Trump said the United States is willing to work with China to achieve further progress in bilateral relations. He also made it clear that he understands China’s sensitivities regarding the Taiwan issue. Trump added that he hopes both sides will continue dialogue and keep U.S.–China relations healthy and stable throughout his presidency.

This dialogue is being viewed as an effort to guide relations between the world’s two major powers not toward confrontation, but along a path of dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility.