International, September 25 : US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, hosted a state welcome banquet in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The banquet was held at the White House on the evening of September 24 local time.

When Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan arrived at the White House, Trump and Melania warmly welcomed them. The two heads of state and their wives posed for photographs together and met with guests attending the banquet.

After the banquet began, Xi Jinping and Trump delivered separate speeches.

Xi Jinping extended sincere greetings and best wishes for the Mid-Autumn Festival to people from various sectors of the United States who are interested in and supportive of the development of China-US relations.

Xi Jinping said that President Trump had successfully visited China in May this year. Within less than six months, the heads of state of China and the United States have visited each other’s countries, which is a historic event in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

He further said that during the current visit, many new common understandings had once again been reached, further enriching the foundation of a constructive and stable China-US relationship and providing new strategic guidance for bilateral ties.

Xi Jinping stressed that the United States gained independence more than 200 years ago and soon afterward turned its attention toward China. Commercial exchanges between China and the United States also began at that time through the exchange of goods and economic complementarity between the two countries.

He said that more than 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the United States fought shoulder to shoulder against Japanese military aggression. This friendship, forged through bloodshed and the test of fire, will be passed down from generation to generation.

More than 50 years ago, ping-pong diplomacy opened a door that had long remained closed. Senior politicians from China and the United States launched the great process of normalizing China-US relations through the political wisdom that “a small ball moves a big ball.”

More than 20 years ago, an American citizen named Ronald Sakolski helped Chinese desertification-control worker Yin Yuchen with tree planting. Their story touched many Chinese people and became an example of friendly exchanges between the peoples of China and the United States.

Xi Jinping said that people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the United States help enhance mutual understanding and heart-to-heart connections between the peoples of the two countries. At the same time, they have created a solid foundation of public support for friendly cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi Jinping noted that China-US relations have once again reached a new historic starting point. President Trump has proposed making America great again, while China is committed to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Both goals are highly important and can complement each other.

He said that both sides should demonstrate the responsibility expected of major countries and, in keeping with the expectations of their peoples and the trend of the times, explore a new path for proper coexistence between major countries.

Xi Jinping said that the tide of history continues to move forward, and the prospects for friendship between the peoples of China and the United States are also vast. Both sides should move forward hand in hand and jointly care for the “beautiful flower of China-US friendship,” while writing a new chapter in bilateral relations together.

Donald Trump said that the warm and friendly treatment he received from the Chinese people during his visit to China last May had left a deep and beautiful impression on him.

He said, “Tonight, people from various sectors of the two countries have gathered to celebrate a friendship that has spanned thousands of miles and lasted for more than a century.”

Both the United States and China have rich cultures and a long history of friendly exchanges between their peoples. Although the political and social systems of the two countries are different, their friendship has remained strong for a long time, he said.

Trump said, “I look forward to further nurturing the friendship between our two countries with mutual respect alongside President Xi Jinping, and bringing lasting prosperity and security to future generations.”

The banquet was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. During the banquet, American artists presented outstanding cultural performances.

Source: Anandi, Foysal, China Media Group.