President Trump speaks at a state banquet amid the U.S.-China summit

Good early morning to you.I'm Joe Fryer.

And I'm Savannah Sellers.We are following breaking news in China, where President Trump is about to wrap up day one of his official state visit.Soon, Mr. Trump is expected to address the U .S.and Chinese delegations at the state banquet in Beijing.

Earlier today, that two -day summit kicked off with the usual pomp and circumstance, a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People.And U .S.and Chinese officials went behind closed doors for their high -stakes meeting.

They discussed a number of big topics, of not rivals.

Frayer from Beijing.Janice, walk us through what we can expect to see here during what has been dubbed the welcoming banquet.

Well, this is the punctuation on the first day of this historic summit for these two leaders.Both sides saying that the talks went well, that they addressed a number of issues, including trade, but also touched on Taiwan.That seemed to be the one topic that was a bit touchy, according to both sides, with China issuing a veiled warning about the need to have stability around Taiwan.saying, quote, clashes and even conflicts could put the entire relationship in jeopardy.But beyond that...been a lot of friendship today, signs that the two men are furthering their personal relationship.

and the expectation that there could be some agreements that come out of this visit, primarily in trying to boost what China buys from the United States.President Trump wants to sell more beef, more aircraft.There's China's President Xi Jinping stepping up to the lectern.in this wants to prioritize stability in relations with the United States.For him, the one objective, the one goal is to try to manage tensions over the longer term with the United States so that China's economy can get some traction.The tariffs that the U .

S.announced last year made China nervous.At one point, those tariffs were in the triple digits.So what we've seen is both sides try to step back from that edge to try to come to a more stable place.

Let's listen in to what they're saying at the banquet.China is a modernized country.This year is also the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.More than 300 million people in the United States are living and working in China.

We are listening to President Xi give his remarks ahead of President Trump right now.We are hearing him speak in Chinese.He'll say several sentences, and then we will get the English translation of that.Let's listen to him.

This is a historic visit.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.Fifty -five 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 -US relations generally stable.

If two countries work together, they will benefit.If they fight, they will suffer.They should be partners, not opponents.

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.China -U .S.relations bear the blessing of more than 1 .7 billion people in both countries.It concerns the interests of more than 2 .4 billion people in the world.We should share this historic responsibility.

together, and move forward steadily along the right track of Sino -US relations.

Honorable President Donald J. Trump, ladies and gentlemen, friends.Looking back at the course 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.

of with us.Janice, what stuck out to you from those remarks quickly before we hear from President Trump in a moment?

What struck me about President Xi's speech is that he's, a lot of the language that he uses to describe Chinese aspirations, he's now describing to American aspirations as well.This idea of Chinese rejuvenation and making America great again in order to appeal to his guests.Let's listen in to President Trump.

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, and it was a great honor to be with you.Please.

Also, I would like to thank my delegation for welcoming me in this historic visit.Earlier today, we had a rich and constructive dialogue with China.Tonight will be another opportunity for us to discuss the issues we have discussed earlier today, our common interests, and how we can create a better and safer future for all mankind.

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 theof Confucius in his colonial newspaper and today's sculpture recognizing that ancient Chinese sage is carved into the face of the United States Supreme Court very proudly.

The founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, once published Confucius in his famous newspaper.And today, in front of the door of the U .S.Supreme Court building, there is a sculpture.This sculpture is to pay tribute to an ancient saint in China.

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.These people donated a stone monument to the United States to commemorate the president of Washington.The stone monument is now inscribed in the Washington Memorial.On the stone monument, there was a Chinese official who described him as a great general and politician.They called him a hero.

And across the centuries, this mutual esteem grew into a relationship that reflected the tremendous talent and potential of our two people.Chinese workers helped lay the railroad tracks that connected our

In the past few hundred years, This kind of mutual respect has become a whole new relationship.This relationship can be said to reflect the great potential between the people of our two countries, as well as our efforts and wisdom.Chinese workers helped the United States to build our railways and rail tracks, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States.The Americans who visited China in the early days of the United States also helped China to improve the quality of life and introduced modern medicine.And in response to the request of the then Chinese Ambassador to China, President Roosevelt also provided funds to establish and establish President Xi's alma mater, Tsinghua University.

As allies in World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt's mentions of the brave people of China, that's what they were, drew loud cheers in his speeches in the United States.And everybody loved what he had to say, just as many Chinese now love basketball and blue jeans, Chinese restaurants in America today outnumber the five largest fast food chains in the United States all combined.That's a pretty big statement.

So, as an ally during World War II, President Roosevelt mentioned the brave Chinese people in many speeches in the United States, just as many Chinese people do now.

This bond of commerce and respect that stretches back 250 years is the foundation for a future that benefits both of our nations.The American and Chinese people share much in common.We value hard work.We value courage and achievement.We love our families and we love our countries.Together, we have the chance to draw on these values to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness and peace for our children.

We love our children, this region and the world.It's a special world with the two of us united and together.

As for the ties and mutual respect in business, it can be said that it is the foundation of the future that we are going to build 250 years ago.As for the future, it will bring together the people of our two countries.The American people and the Chinese people have a lot in common.

Thank you again, President Xi.for this beautiful welcome.And tonight, it is my honor to extend an invitation to you and Madam Peng to visit us at the White House this September 24th.And weforward to it.And I'd now like to raise a glass and propose a toast to the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people.

It's a very special relationship, and I want to thank you again.This has been an amazing period of time.Thank you, President Xi.

Once again, thank you, Mr. President.

welcoming banquet.The president speaking for just under 10 minutes here, including the translation, largely staying on script.We don't expect controversial comments at a banquet like this.Janice, walk us through what we've heard over the last several minutes.Anything stand out?

What seems to stand out is that both men are being very gracious to each other.President Trump has talked often about his friendship with Xi Jinping.He considers him a gentleman and a good host and a great leader, as he said today.And there is the sense that the feeling is mutual, that there is something in the way that Xi Jinping conducts himself with Donald Trump that seems different from other leaders.But he's not looking primarily for friendship out of this summit and out of this visit.the temperature, especially when it comes to U .

S.tariffs on U .goods. So,So, it's not that we're going to see any grand bargain or reset come out of this, but what this does signal is that on this first day of the summit, they have been able to start conversations, and these are conversations that are going to continue.President Trump saying that September 24th is the date that he would like to host presidency at the White House.So, there is the sense that these two men are taking a breath together, if we can say that, and really wanting to move the relationship forward because they see the benefit on both sides.

to be with Iran and trade, sort of the three big topics heading into this.

Well the US side felt that the talks went well today.They described them as good, they touched on trade issues, fentanyl and technology, some of the other issues that they've been wanting to address.There are still some very big elephants in the room, so to speak, with critical minerals and rare earths.China has slapped export controls on certain things that America needs for its supply chains.And there is also this issue of Taiwan.There was the expectation that Taiwan was going to factor into the discussion in ways that it hasn't before.

The Chinese side has certainly been telegraphing it over the past few weeks.China was wanting to urge or discuss U .S.arms deals with Taiwan, with President Trump.They want to perhaps pressure him, urge him to delay these arms sales or even scale them back.We have to understand, though, that to even have this discussion between a U .

S.president and a Chinese leader is unprecedented.And that's what was making some people nervous going into this meeting, that perhaps President Trump, when he was face to face with Xi Jinping, was maybe going to agree to things that he necessarily should not, that could change policy, longstanding U .S.policy.There's been no indication that it went that far today, but there There is the sense that Xi Jinping wanted to have his say on Taiwan, and he issued what many consider to be a warning, the sense that – I want to get the language correct here – the sense that he was saying that clashes and even conflicts could put the entire relationship in great jeopardy.

And as you mentioned, Savannah, that was something that was missing.from the American readout.There was the sense, though, that President Xi didn't want Iran to dominate the agenda.He wanted this to be an opportunity to talk to the U .S.president about China, not Iran, and as well that there might be some hesitation on President Trump's part to appear as though he was kind of

his chief competitor and asking for help to end a conflict.As well, Xi Jinping wouldn't want to be seen as aligning himself too much with Washington when it comes to Iran.So it seems these talks did get off to a good start today.They do continue into tomorrow.And there are also the CEOs who are here who are having their own meetings trying to not only drum up some deals, but importantly, to get access and influence here in the Chinese market.

NBC's Janice Mackey -Frayer for now.They will eat.Day two kicks off tomorrow.Thanks for joining us in our breaking news coverage of one of President Trump's, day one of President Trump's state visit to China.

Stay with us.We will have more coverage on Trump and Xi's high -stakes meeting in our next hour.Now we will rejoin early today.See you shortly.

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