Editor’s Notes: This event captures the historic state banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping in honor of President Donald J. Trump during his state visit to China. During the event, both leaders deliver formal toasts that highlight the deep historical connections and the strategic importance of the “most important bilateral relationship” in the world. President Xi emphasizes the necessity of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, while President Trump reflects on 250 years of friendship and shared values between the American and Chinese peoples. The occasion concludes with a celebratory atmosphere as President Trump invites President Xi to visit the White House for a return visit in September. (May 14, 2026)
TRANSCRIPT:
State Banquet: President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump
ANNOUNCER: Please welcome President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump. The welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping for President Donald J. Trump now begins.
Toast by President Xi Jinping
PRESIDENT XI JINPING: Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to host the State Banquet in honor of President Trump during his state visit to China. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to President Trump and the U.S. Delegation.
This year marks the start of China’s 15th five-year plan for economic and social development. The over 1.4 billion people of China, drawing on the rich heritage of our over 5,000-year civilization, are advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development.
This year is also the 250th anniversary of American independence. The over 300 million American people are reinvigorating the spirit of patriotism, innovation, and enterprise, and ushering in a new journey for the development of the United States. The people of China and the United States are both great peoples. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.
A Milestone in China-U.S. Relations
55 years ago, President Richard Nixon sent Dr. Henry Kissinger to visit China, and ping pong diplomacy was carried out between our two countries. Through efforts of the two governments and peoples, the door that had remained frozen for over 20 years was opened, marking a milestone in contemporary international relations. From then on, China and the United States have written many chapters of friendship through mutual openness and cooperation.
Under the new situation, President Trump and I, fully aware of the expectations of our two nations and the international community, have had multiple meetings and phone calls, and kept China-U.S. relations generally stable.
Today, President Trump and I had in-depth exchanges on China-U.S. relations and international and regional dynamics. We both believe that the China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up. Both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals.
President Trump and I also agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability, to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world.
A Shared Historic Responsibility
Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, friends, looking back at the cause of China-U.S. relations, whether or not we could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily.
The world today is changing and turbulent. China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of the over 1.7 billion people of both countries and affect the interests of the over 8 billion people of the world. Both sides should rise up to this historic responsibility and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations forward steadily and in the right direction.
Now please join me in a toast to the development and prosperity of China and the United States and the well-being of our people, to the bright future of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between the two peoples, and to the health of President Trump and all the friends present.
Cheers. Ganbei. Cheers.
Toast by President Donald J. Trump
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: Thank you very much. Well, thank you very much. This is a great honor. It was a fantastic day. And in particular, I want to thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome. And it really was a magnificent welcome like none other, and for so graciously hosting us on this very historic state visit.
We had extremely positive and productive conversations and meetings today with the Chinese delegation earlier. And this evening is another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends some of the things that we discussed today, all good for the United States and for China.
250 Years of Connection
The relationship between the American and Chinese people goes all the way back to America’s founding. The first American consul to China, Samuel Shaw, arrived on the first American trading ship to reach these shores in 1784. The Chinese merchants had a name for the Americans. They called their visions the New People. Two and a half centuries later, that first connection has grown into one of the most consequential relationships in world history.
From the beginning, our citizens have shared a deep sense of mutual respect. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin published the sayings of Confucius in his colonial newspaper, and today’s sculpture, recognizing that ancient Chinese age, is carved into the face of the United States Supreme Court very proudly.
The appreciation ran in both directions. Chinese admirers of President George Washington gifted a stone tablet honoring his memory to adorn the Washington Monument. It bears the words of a Chinese official who called the great general and statesman “a hero among men.”
Shared History, Shared Values
And across the centuries this mutual esteem grew into a relationship that reflected the tremendous talent and potential of our two people.