Without mentioning President-elect Donald Trump's name, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to signal his concern that Trump's protectionist rhetoric on the campaign trail could send the U.S.-China relationship into another valley.

The two leaders had what could be their final meeting in a long relationship, but often seemed to be speaking more to the president-elect than each other.

Donald Trump has made a tougher stance toward China central to his pitch on foreign policy, even as Joe Biden and Xi Jinping sought to lower tensions before the next president takes office.