Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump in South Korea, marking their first face-to-face encounter in six years. Held at an air base in the southern port city of Busan, this summit comes amid heightened global tensions and Trump's recent return to the White House in January. Xi emphasized that Beijing and Washington must evolve into true partners and friends, setting the stage for potential cooperation on a grand scale.

Xi openly acknowledged the inevitable challenges in bilateral relations, stating, "It is natural to have friction." However, he stressed the importance of steering ties onto the "right course" to avoid derailment. This candid admission highlights the complex dynamics between the world's two superpowers, where economic rivalries, trade disputes, and geopolitical frictions have often dominated headlines. By framing differences as manageable, Xi signaled China's willingness to navigate these hurdles constructively.

The Chinese leader expressed eagerness for continued collaboration, declaring that China and the US can "jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries." He envisioned the nations working together to achieve "more great and concrete things" benefiting not just their peoples but the entire world. This call for shared global leadership underscores opportunities in areas like climate change, technology, and international security, potentially reshaping the global order.

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Xi also extended praise for Trump's proactive peace initiatives in ongoing worldwide conflicts, appreciating his efforts to de-escalate hotspots. Such commendation is rare in Sino-US discourse and could pave the way for aligned strategies on issues like the Middle East or Ukraine. As both leaders depart Busan, the world watches to see if this meeting sparks a new era of pragmatic engagement.

This historic Xi-Trump dialogue, the first since 2019, revives hopes for stabilized relations amid uncertainties. With both sides committing to dialogue over division, the summit could mark a pivotal moment in averting escalation and fostering mutual gains on the international stage.

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