Asia & Pacific
Trump had arrived in China with accolades for his host, calling Xi a "great leader" and "friend", as he predicted that their countries would have "a fantastic future together".
China's President Xi Jinping (right) and US President Donald Trump talk during their visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14, 2026. (AFP/Brendan Śmiałowski)
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that missteps on Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict", a stark opening salvo as they met in Beijing on Thursday at a superpower summit.Trump had arrived in China with accolades for his host, calling Xi a "great leader" and "friend", as he predicted that their countries would have "a fantastic future together".
But beyond the pomp as he welcomed Trump, Xi in less effusive tones said the two sides "should be partners and not rivals", while highlighting the issue of self-ruled democratic Taiwan -- which Beijing claims as its territory -- straight off the bat.
