President Xi welcomes Trump during state visit in China

Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that tensions over Taiwan could push the US and China towards “clashes and even conflicts”, according to Chinese state media, as they held a high-stakes summit in Beijing. The Chinese president told his US counterpart that if the Taiwan issue is “handled well”, relations between the two countries could maintain “overall stability”, but mishandling the issue would push bilateral ties to a “very dangerous place”. Chinese media reports said Xi told Trump that Taiwan was the number one issue in US-China relations, during a two-hour meeting behind closed doors. Those remarks contrasted sharply to the pair's televised opening statements, where Trump told Xi "it's an honour to be your friend" and Xi said the US and China should be "partners, not rivals". The US president was visibly impressed as he was welcomed this morning with a military parade, red carpets and ranks of cheering children outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Trump and Xi are touring the historic Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century complex this afternoon, before attending a state banquet. Full article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-china-visit-xi-jinping-summit-live-updates-today-b2976263.html Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent Find us on social: TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@independent Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/the.independent/ X (Twitter) / https://twitter.com/Independent Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations