China

Beijing, Friday, September 25, 2026. China's official press has not restrained its enthusiasm on the second day of Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington. CGTN broadcast the full text of the speech delivered by the Chinese president at the White House welcoming ceremony, in which he stated that "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals" and that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand." Xi Jinping called for "putting into action" the vision of a "constructive" relationship and "strategic stability" sealed with Donald Trump during his visit to Beijing in May.

According to the ECNS agency, the economic teams of the two countries have reached a "new joint arrangement," described by Xi Jinping, according to the Xinhua agency, as "good news for businesses, ordinary citizens, and the global economy," without its content being detailed. The South China Morning Post notes that the tariff truce, which was due to expire in November, has been extended by two months, until January 10 — a duration considered "shorter than expected" by a quoted economist, but "positive."

On artificial intelligence, Xi Jinping said he sees "more reasons to cooperate than to rival," advocating for permanent human control of the technology. Neither Taiwan nor Iran is mentioned in the official statements reported by Chinese media.

Protocol occupies a large place in the coverage: a welcome on the tarmac of Andrews Base, a 21-gun salute, a military flyover, and then a state dinner where the South China Morning Post details a toast with Californian wine inspired by the "Toast to Peace" of 1972 between Nixon and Zhou Enlai, and a reminder of the 1868 Chinese diplomatic mission. A handful of Chinese business leaders, who arrived separately from the official delegation, were still waiting for an invitation to the dinner.

The Hong Kong press notes that major American networks have boycotted live coverage of the events due to a dispute over the exclusion of CNN, limiting the broadcast of Xi Jinping's arrival to a few digital media outlets. A joke by Donald Trump targeting Joe Biden reportedly made Xi Jinping laugh in front of the "presidents' gallery." The two leaders reaffirmed their support for the APEC summits in November in Shenzhen and the G20 in December in Miami, paving the way for two new meetings.