China has announced that President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The announcement came as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed several major international issues during a press conference on September 21, including China-U.S. relations, rare earth exports, Japan’s deployment of Typhon missile systems, the Taiwan Strait and Russia’s State Duma elections.
Xi Jinping to Visit the United States
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi Jinping will visit the United States from September 23 to 25. During the visit, Xi is expected to hold in-depth discussions with President Trump on major issues involving China-U.S. relations as well as international peace and development.
Guo Jiakun said Beijing considers high-level diplomacy important for providing strategic direction to China-U.S. relations. He noted that reciprocal visits by the two presidents within a six-month period would have what China described as milestone significance.
China said it wants to work with the United States to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, develop what it describes as a constructive relationship of strategic stability, and properly manage differences. Beijing said the objective is to bring greater benefits to both countries' populations and contribute to international peace, stability and prosperity.
China Details Five Years of Global Development Initiative
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also highlighted the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative, or GDI, originally proposed by Xi Jinping during the general debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in 2021.
According to Guo Jiakun, more than US$23 billion has been mobilized under the initiative and more than 2,000 cooperation projects have been carried out. China said cooperation under the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has produced projects in more than 70 countries and benefited more than 40 million people.
China is also scheduled to host a High-Level Dialogue on the fifth anniversary of the GDI at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 25, alongside the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Beijing said the event will focus on reviewing achievements and experiences from the past five years, sharing development opportunities and discussing further international cooperation related to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Rare Earth Deliveries Remain a China-U.S. Issue
The press conference also addressed questions surrounding China's rare earth exports and critical mineral supply chains.
The New York Times asked about U.S. claims that China had not fully resumed rare earth deliveries despite previous understandings reached between the two countries' leaders.
Guo Jiakun referred specific questions to China's competent authorities but said China remains committed to maintaining the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains for critical minerals.
He also said China and the United States should jointly implement the important understandings reached by their leaders and maintain stable growth in bilateral economic and trade relations.
Asked whether China would agree to extend the November 10 deadline for expanded rare earth export restrictions, Guo again referred the question to the relevant authorities.
China also said that, under its laws and regulations, it prohibits exports of dual-use items to Japanese military users or for Japanese military purposes, as well as exports that could help enhance Japan's military capabilities. Beijing linked the restrictions to what it described as Japan's remilitarization and potential pursuit of nuclear weapons.
China Protests Japan’s Typhon Missile Deployment
Another major topic was Japan's deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system on Kyushu.
Guo Jiakun said China has lodged diplomatic protests with Japan on multiple occasions and recently sent another diplomatic note to reiterate Beijing's position.
China described the Typhon system as a strategic offensive weapon and argued that its deployment could increase risks of military confrontation and an arms race while affecting regional strategic stability and the security interests of neighboring countries.
Beijing also referred to the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, calling on Japan to reflect on its wartime history and to stop what China describes as a remilitarization agenda.
The issue has also drawn attention from Russia, whose Foreign Ministry said on September 18 that Moscow had sent a protest note to Japan regarding the Typhon deployment, according to the question raised at the Chinese briefing.
China Responds to New Zealand Naval Transit Through Taiwan Strait
Reuters also asked about two New Zealand Defence Force naval vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait.
New Zealand's prime minister had described the activity as routine and said he did not expect backlash from China.
Guo Jiakun gave a brief response, saying China's position on foreign military vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait remains consistent.
China Comments on Russia’s State Duma Elections
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also commented on Russia's State Duma elections, which were held from September 18 to 20.
Responding to a question about preliminary results showing the United Russia Party leading, Guo Jiakun congratulated Russia on what he described as the smooth conclusion of the elections.
He said the elections are an important event on Russia's political calendar and stated that China views the results as representing the will of the Russian people.
China described Russia as a friendly neighbor and a comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for a new era. Beijing said it is ready to continue working with Moscow to implement understandings reached between the two countries' presidents and advance bilateral relations.
China Condemns Terrorist Attack in Pakistan
The briefing also included China's response to a terrorist attack on a police facility in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 18.
Guo Jiakun said China strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolences to those who lost their lives, as well as sympathy to the injured and bereaved families.
He described terrorism as a common threat and said combating terrorism is in the shared interests of all countries. China also reaffirmed its support for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and called for international cooperation against terrorism.
China Gives No Further Details on He Lifeng-Bessent Talks
The New York Times also asked about talks in New York between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Guo Jiakun said the Chinese side had already released a readout of the discussions and said he had no further information to provide.
China Also Responds to Report About AI-Generated Military Information
Toward the end of the briefing, the New York Times asked about a CNN report concerning an AI-related report involving an alleged Chinese vessel carrying military components to the Middle East.
Guo Jiakun said he was not aware of the matter and did not provide further comment.
What to Watch Ahead of Xi-Trump Meeting
Xi Jinping's September 23-25 state visit to the United States comes at a time when Beijing and Washington continue to deal with a range of economic, trade and security issues.
The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral relations and broader international issues. Rare earth supply chains, economic and trade relations, strategic stability and other areas of disagreement are among the issues highlighted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the days leading up to the visit.
At the same time, China's comments on Japan's Typhon deployment, Taiwan Strait military activity and Russia's elections demonstrate the broader regional and geopolitical issues being addressed by Beijing alongside its focus on U.S.-China relations.
The developments will be closely watched as Xi Jinping and Donald Trump prepare for their upcoming meeting in the United States.
Source: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, September 21, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes statements and positions presented by China's Foreign Ministry. Statements attributed to the Chinese government represent its stated position and should not be interpreted as independent verification of disputed claims.
