Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that he and U.S. President Donald Trump should guide the direction of bilateral ties.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Trump after landing in Busan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), ahead of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju and a state visit to the ROK.

Xi noted that since Trump’s reelection, they have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact.

« Under our joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole, » Xi said.

Xi recalled that a few days ago, in the latest round of consultation in Kuala Lumpur, the two sides’ economic and trade teams reached basic consensus on addressing their respective major concerns.  

This provided the necessary conditions for the meeting with Trump, Xi added.

« Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other. And it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, » said Xi.

« You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations. In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations, » Xi told Trump.

After the success of the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum held in Kunming in September 2025, China’s Xinhua News Agency has reaffirmed its central role in advancing President Xi Jinping’s vision: building a new system of global governance where the voice of the Global South emerges as a constructive and indispensable force.

Media Diplomacy for Fairer Global Governance

By convening and coordinating spaces for dialogue among media professionals, academics, policymakers, and business leaders, Xinhua is moving beyond its traditional mission of reporting news. It is positioning itself as a strategic platform—a bridge that enables the Global South to defend shared interests and propose alternatives to a world order long shaped by traditional powers.

The Kunming edition, which brought together over 500 participants from 260 organizations across 110 countries and regions, laid the foundations of this dynamic. Its message was unequivocal: “unity over division, cooperation over confrontation, justice over hegemony.”

Xi Jinping’s Vision: A Unified Voice of the Global South

This initiative aligns closely with President Xi Jinping’s call for a new system of global governance based on consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.
China, positioning itself as a natural member and driving force of the Global South, continues to encourage cooperation among developing countries, aiming to transform the bloc into a constructive, stabilizing, and progressive actor on the international stage.

Shared Priorities

Forum discussions and adopted resolutions underscored several common priorities:

• poverty reduction, industrialization, and agricultural modernization,
• green and sustainable development,
• strengthening cultural exchanges to foster inclusive coexistence,
• and advancing truthful storytelling by the media while supporting digital transformation.

The role of the media was highlighted as essential: producing narratives that reflect the realities of the South, investing in digital tools, advancing ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence, and fostering more balanced communication in global public opinion.

Next Stop: Johannesburg, November 2025

Building on the momentum from Kunming, Xinhua will co-host the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum: China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 12 to 14, 2025, in partnership with Independent Media and other collaborators.

With the theme “Building Consensus to Amplify the Voice of the Global South”, the forum will place Africa at the heart of the process. Distinguished participants are expected, including government officials, researchers, media professionals, representatives of international organizations, and business leaders—primarily from Africa and China.

Discussions will revolve around four key areas:

• “Strengthening Unity and Consensus to Safeguard Peace and Security”,
• “Promoting Connectivity for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity”,
• “Driving Reform and Innovation to Shape Global Governance”,
• “Deepening People-to-People Exchanges to Promote Mutual Learning Among Civilizations”.

The Global South as a Force for Change

Through these initiatives, Xinhua is helping position the Global South as an indispensable voice in global governance. The forum calls for collective modernization as a shared aspiration, prioritizing cooperation over confrontation.

Beyond being a news agency, Xinhua is emerging as a key instrument of Chinese diplomacy and a driving force in President Xi’s broader vision: a multipolar world order that is fairer, more balanced, and genuinely representative of the voices of the South.

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on the phone on Friday evening.

The two presidents had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the current state of China-U.S. relations and other issues of mutual interest and provided strategic guidance for the steady development of bilateral relations going forward. The conversation was pragmatic, positive and constructive.

Xi pointed out that China and the United States were allies who fought shoulder to shoulder during WWII. Recently, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and invited the families of American Flying Tigers to watch the parade on the Tiananmen Rostrum. The Chinese people will not forget the valuable support from the U.S. and other anti-fascist Allied nations for China’s War of Resistance, Xi said, adding that honoring fallen heroes and remembering history is essential for cherishing peace and creating a better future.

Xi stressed the vital importance of China-U.S. relations. China and the United States are fully capable of helping each other succeed and prospering together for the good of the two countries and the whole world, he said. For that vision to materialize, both sides need to work hard and in the same direction so as to realize mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi said. The recent consultation between Chinese and U.S. officials reflected the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, he added. They can continue to properly handle the outstanding issues in bilateral relations and strive for win-win outcomes, said the Chinese president. The U.S. side should refrain from imposing unilateral trade restrictions so as not to disrupt the outcomes of multiple rounds of consultation between the two sides, Xi further said. He added that China’s position on the TikTok issue is clear: the Chinese government respects the wishes of the company in question and would be happy to see productive commercial negotiations in keeping with market rules lead to a solution that complies with China’s laws and regulations and takes into account the interests of both sides. The U.S. side needs to provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese investors, Xi said.

Trump said that China’s recent parade was phenomenal and beautiful. The U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship, he said, adding that the two countries working together can get many great things done that are good for the peace and stability of the world. The U.S. would like to have a long-term, big and great relationship with China, Trump said. The U.S. will work with China on the economy and trade and support their teams in reaching a proper deal on TikTok through consultation, the American president said, adding that the U.S. will also work with China for world peace.