'Common interests outweigh differences,' Xi tells Trump in Beijing talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that the common interests between China and the US outweigh their differences, as he met US President Donald Trump for talks in Beijing.

"I have always believed that the common interests between China and the US outweigh the differences," Xi said at the start of the meeting, reports Reuters.

"The success of China and the US is an opportunity for each other," he said, adding that "the stability of Sino-US relations is a good thing for the world."

Xi said he was "looking forward to exchanging views on major issues," and added: "Let 2026 be a historic and landmark year for Sino-US relations to carry on the past and open up the future."

Xi also posed a series of questions to Trump during the opening remarks.

"Can we work together to address global challenges and bring greater stability to the world? Can we focus on the well-being of our peoples and the future of humanity, and jointly create a brighter future for bilateral relations?" Xi said.

"These are questions of history, of the world, and of the people. They are also the defining questions of our time that you and I, as leaders of major countries, must answer together," he added.

Trump, speaking at the start of the meeting, said he has a "fantastic relationship" with Xi and expressed optimism about ties between the two countries.

"I believe the relationship is going to be better than ever," Trump said.

After expressing thanks for the welcome ceremony, Trump said he and Xi had long been able to manage disagreements.

"Whenever we had a problem, we worked it out very quickly," he said, adding that he respected China and Xi's leadership.

"You're a great leader, I say it to everybody, you're a great leader. Sometimes people don't like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it's true," Trump said.