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China’s Xi Jinping has warned President Donald Trump that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue is not handled properly. That was an unusually harsh admonition that stood in contrast to the American leader’s praise for his counterpart. The exchange Thursday at a highly anticipated summit in Beijing underscored just how far apart Trump and Xi remain on thorny issues, including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is a self-ruled island that China claims as part of its territory. The exchange also suggested that Trump’s three-day visit to China is likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than substantive political or economic breakthroughs.

President Donald Trump is insistent that U.S.-China relations are good and getting better despite deep differences on key issues. During Thursday's talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump expressed optimism about future cooperation. Xi said Thursday that he hoped both countries could be “partners, not rivals." However, challenges remain, including China's limited involvement in resolving the Iran conflict. Xi privately warned Trump that their differences on the self-ruled island of Taiwan, if handled poorly, could hurtle the world’s dominant powers toward an “extremely dangerous situation.” Trump and Xi will meet again Friday for more talks before Trump returns to Washington.