Chinese President Xi Jinping was not at the airport to greet Donald Trump when he arrived in Beijing for the three-day meeting. However, the welcome accorded to the American president was bigger than what he was given in 2017. Vice President Han Zheng, along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials, was present. Isabelle Vladoiu, founder of the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, told New York Post, "Xi Jinping did not personally greet Trump at the airport in 2017 either, but this time Beijing noticeably upgraded the reception by sending Vice President Han Zheng along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials." Isabelle claims this departure matters immensely since "in Chinese diplomatic protocol, rank is never accidental."&nbsp;Nine years ago, a lower-level official welcomed him, while Beijing upgraded it this time. According to Isabelle, this signals a major shift in the way China is perceiving Trump's latest visit. “In 2017, Trump was greeted by Yang Jiechi, who was a senior official and state councillor, but not as high rank than the vice president. China is signalling, therefore, that this visit carries greater strategic and geopolitical weight than before.” The American president was accorded a grand welcome with the red carpet laid out. A military band played as 300 youths sang a welcome song, waving American and Chinese flags. Body language expert Dr Lillian Glass says Trump appeared “emotional and visibly moved” by the spectacle.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/wor">'If mishandled...': Xi Jinping issues BIG warning to Trump over Taiwan, says it could lead to US-China conflict</a><h2>Donald Trump in China</h2>He was accompanied by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Trump and Xi are expected to talk on a range of topics. On Thursday (May 14), the two leaders touched upon the topic of Taiwan, with the Chinese premier warning that US interference and mishandling of the matter would lead to a conflict. “If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” according to state broadcaster CCTV. “Taiwan independence and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water," he added.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-jinping-summit-trump-says-have-fantastic-relationship-with-xi-jinping-1778738388075/embed&nbsp;Before this, Xi hailed a new era of US-China relations, with stable ties and managed competition. The US-Israeli war with Iran is also expected to come up as Trump could urge Xi to push Tehran to agree to a peace deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The greeter upgrade this time around for Donald Trump's China visit signifies a major shift in how Xi Jinping is perceiving his meeting with the American president. This time, Vice President Han Zheng was there, while last time, a state councillor greeted him.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was not at the airport to greet Donald Trump when he arrived in Beijing for the three-day meeting. However, the welcome accorded to the American president was bigger than what he was given in 2017. Vice President Han Zheng, along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials, was present. Isabelle Vladoiu, founder of the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, told New York Post, "Xi Jinping did not personally greet Trump at the airport in 2017 either, but this time Beijing noticeably upgraded the reception by sending Vice President Han Zheng along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials." Isabelle claims this departure matters immensely since "in Chinese diplomatic protocol, rank is never accidental." Nine years ago, a lower-level official welcomed him, while Beijing upgraded it this time. According to Isabelle, this signals a major shift in the way China is perceiving Trump's latest visit. “In 2017, Trump was greeted by Yang Jiechi, who was a senior official and state councillor, but not as high rank than the vice president. China is signalling, therefore, that this visit carries greater strategic and geopolitical weight than before.” The American president was accorded a grand welcome with the red carpet laid out. A military band played as 300 youths sang a welcome song, waving American and Chinese flags. Body language expert Dr Lillian Glass says Trump appeared “emotional and visibly moved” by the spectacle. Also Read: 'If mishandled...': Xi Jinping issues BIG warning to Trump over Taiwan, says it could lead to US-China conflict Donald Trump in China He was accompanied by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Trump and Xi are expected to talk on a range of topics. On Thursday (May 14), the two leaders touched upon the topic of Taiwan, with the Chinese premier warning that US interference and mishandling of the matter would lead to a conflict. “If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” according to state broadcaster CCTV. “Taiwan independence and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water," he added. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-jinping-summit-trump-says-have-fantastic-relationship-with-xi-jinping-1778738388075/embed Before this, Xi hailed a new era of US-China relations, with stable ties and managed competition. The US-Israeli war with Iran is also expected to come up as Trump could urge Xi to push Tehran to agree to a peace deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The greeter upgrade this time around for Donald Trump's China visit signifies a major shift in how Xi Jinping is perceiving his meeting with the American president. This time, Vice President Han Zheng was there, while last time, a state councillor greeted him.

Donald Trump's China visit: The president got a greeter upgrade in Beijing. Here is what an expert says it means

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened his high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 14) by striking a tone of warmth, caution and strategic optimism, telling the US president he was "happy" to welcome him back to Beijing at what he described as a moment when the world stands at a historic "crossroads." Seated at the head of the table inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi framed the meeting as bigger than a routine bilateral engagement, presenting it instead as a defining moment for global stability."A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals," Xi said, adding in a pointed remark that "The world today is at a crossroads," and that China and the United States should choose partnership over confrontation. "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals," the Chinese leader told Trump, in remarks clearly aimed at lowering the temperature after years of trade wars, technology sanctions and mounting geopolitical distrust.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-ultimate-frenemies-from-big-fat-hug-to-bitter-trade-wars-analysing-a-decade-of-trump-xi-rollercoaster-equation-1778571377420">The ultimate frenemies? From ‘big, fat hug’ to bitter trade wars, analysing a decade of Trump-Xi rollercoaster equation</a><h2>Trump touts 'fantastic future together'</h2>The POTUS, for his part, responded in characteristically expansive fashion. "We’re going to have a fantastic future together,” the US president declared, praising Xi as a "great leader" and repeatedly highlighting what he called their "fantastic relationship."Calling the summit "maybe the biggest summit ever," Trump said the ceremony itself was "an honour like few I’ve ever seen before.""It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend," Trump added. "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before." Trump’s rhetoric leaned heavily on personal chemistry, a familiar hallmark of his diplomacy with Xi dating back to their first Mar-a-Lago meeting in 2017.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-two-timed-trump-report-reveals-islamabad-quietly-sheltered-iranian-military-aircraft-while-brokering-peace-talks-1778551810479">Pakistan two-timed Trump? Report REVEALS Islamabad quietly sheltered Iranian military aircraft while playing mediator in Iran war</a><h2>Warm opening remarks amid global tensions</h2>The two leaders met on the steps of the Great Hall of the People with a handshake, as opposed to the "big, fat hug" Trump was expecting from the Chinese president. The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation, including State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and business CEOs, including Elon Musk, awaited him.The opening exchange, rich in personal compliments and diplomatic symbolism, offered a carefully choreographed contrast to the deep tensions hanging over the summit, including disputes over Iran, Taiwan, tariffs, technology restrictions and strategic competition in Asia.&nbsp;

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Beijing talks by noting that the world was “at a crossroads” and urged the US to be China’s “partner, not rival.” What did Trump say? Scroll down.

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened his high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 14) by striking a tone of warmth, caution and strategic optimism, telling the US president he was "happy" to welcome him back to Beijing at what he described as a moment when the world stands at a historic "crossroads." Seated at the head of the table inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi framed the meeting as bigger than a routine bilateral engagement, presenting it instead as a defining moment for global stability. "A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals," Xi said, adding in a pointed remark that "The world today is at a crossroads," and that China and the United States should choose partnership over confrontation. "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals," the Chinese leader told Trump, in remarks clearly aimed at lowering the temperature after years of trade wars, technology sanctions and mounting geopolitical distrust. Also read | The ultimate frenemies? From ‘big, fat hug’ to bitter trade wars, analysing a decade of Trump-Xi rollercoaster equation Trump touts 'fantastic future together' The POTUS, for his part, responded in characteristically expansive fashion. "We’re going to have a fantastic future together,” the US president declared, praising Xi as a "great leader" and repeatedly highlighting what he called their "fantastic relationship." Calling the summit "maybe the biggest summit ever," Trump said the ceremony itself was "an honour like few I’ve ever seen before." "It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend," Trump added. "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before." Trump’s rhetoric leaned heavily on personal chemistry, a familiar hallmark of his diplomacy with Xi dating back to their first Mar-a-Lago meeting in 2017. Also read | Pakistan two-timed Trump? Report REVEALS Islamabad quietly sheltered Iranian military aircraft while playing mediator in Iran war Warm opening remarks amid global tensions The two leaders met on the steps of the Great Hall of the People with a handshake, as opposed to the "big, fat hug" Trump was expecting from the Chinese president. The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation, including State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and business CEOs, including Elon Musk, awaited him. The opening exchange, rich in personal compliments and diplomatic symbolism, offered a carefully choreographed contrast to the deep tensions hanging over the summit, including disputes over Iran, Taiwan, tariffs, technology restrictions and strategic competition in Asia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Beijing talks by noting that the world was “at a crossroads” and urged the US to be China’s “partner, not rival.” What did Trump say? Scroll down.

'World at crossroads': Xi Jinping tells Trump China and United States 'should be partners, not rivals'

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Highlights: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday (May 14), with Iran, trade tensions and Taiwan expected to dominate talks.Trump, on his first China visit since 2017, received a grand ceremonial welcome in Beijing and is accompanied by top US business leaders including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Tesla’s Elon Musk, underscoring his push for major commercial deals.The summit comes amid deep strains between the two powers, including a fragile tariff truce after last year’s trade war, China’s rare earth restrictions, AI rivalry and growing geopolitical friction over Taiwan.Iran is also expected to feature prominently, with Washington hoping Beijing can play a bigger role given China’s economic ties with Tehran.Trump has said he expects a warm personal reception from Xi, but both sides face difficult negotiations as they seek business wins while managing one of the world’s most consequential and tense bilateral relationships.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while cautioning Beijing against attempting to seize the island by force.Speaking to NBC News during Trump’s visit to China, Rubio said Taiwan was discussed during the talks, but stressed that the US position had not shifted.“US policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today and as of the meeting that we had here today,” Rubio said.He added that China routinely raises the Taiwan issue during bilateral engagements and the United States continues to reiterate its long-standing position before moving on to other matters.

Rubio says US stance on Taiwan remains unchanged after Trump-Xi meeting

China is willing to work with the United States to expand its list of areas for cooperation and shorten the list of problems, aiming for healthy, stable and sustainable trade ties, said He Yongqian, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Commerce, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. &nbsp;

China says ready to expand cooperation with US: Commerce Ministry

During his visit to China, US President Donald Trump said Beijing has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft as part of ongoing bilateral engagements.&nbsp;

Trump says China agrees to buy 200 Boeing aircraft

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said President Xi Jinping had offered China's help to open the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran in its war against the US and Israel."He said he's not going to give military equipment… he said that strongly," Trump told the "Hannity" show on Fox News, after the two leaders met in Beijing."He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said 'if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help,'" Trump added.

Trump says Xi offered help to open Hormuz, vowed not to arm Iran

European and US stock markets climbed on Thursday as a tech-led rally extended gains, even as Washington and Beijing continued high-level talks in Beijing, with key US business leaders present in hopes of securing commercial agreements.AFP reported that Wall Street's leading indices opened higher, with both the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite climbing from record closes set on AI bullishness.

Markets rise as tech rally continues amid US–China talks in Beijing

At a state banquet in Beijing, China reportedly played US President Donald Trump’s signature walk-off song, The Village People’s disco hit “Y.M.C.A”, during a private portion of the dinner, according to a White House official.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese military band performed the track during the closed-door segment of the banquet, where Trump was being feted by his hosts, the AP reported.Trump is known to regularly close campaign rallies and official appearances with ‘Y.M.C.A’, often dancing to the song with small fist pumps as it plays.The choice of music echoes earlier diplomatic gestures. In 2017, ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ was played during a ceremony where Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed Chinese honour guards, in what was seen as a symbolic cultural nod during the US leader’s visit.

China plays Trump’s signature ‘Y.M.C.A’ at Beijing state banquet

Gita Gopinath, the former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reacted sharply to visuals from the Trump-Xi meeting, pointing to the absence of women in the high-level discussions. “A meeting of the two largest economies and not one woman at the table,” she wrote.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260514/image-1778767392217.png">.

‘Not one woman at the table’: Ex IMF chief economist

The United States has reportedly approved around 10 Chinese companies to purchase Nvidia’s second-most advanced AI chip, a step that could help ease tensions in the ongoing US-China technology dispute.While China remains a global leader in the production of legacy semiconductors used in products such as smartphones, cars, washing machines and medical equipment, it still trails behind in advanced AI chips developed by firms like Nvidia. Earlier this year, US authorities charged three individuals for allegedly attempting to illegally transfer sensitive American AI technology to China, highlighting the intense race for dominance in artificial intelligence. The unexpected presence of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during Donald Trump’s China visit has also fueled speculation that a broader tech agreement may still be possible.

US clears Nvidia chip sales to 10 Chinese firms

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (May 14) hailed US President Donald Trump’s visit to his country as “historic”, saying that the United States and China “should be partners” and not “rivals”. This comes after the White House said that the high-stakes talks between the two leaders were “good”.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-us-china-should-be-partners-not-rivals-xi-hails-historic-trump-visit-1778753461122">Read more here.</a>

‘US, China should be partners, not rivals’: Xi hails ‘historic’ Trump visit

The state banquet dinner will include hors d’oeuvres to begin, followed by a main course, which will include:<ul><li>Lobster in tomato soup</li><li>Crispy beef ribs</li><li>Beijing roast duck</li><li>Stewed seasonal vegetables</li><li>Slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce</li><li>Pan-fried pork bun</li></ul>The dessert will include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Trumpet shell-shaped pastry</li><li>Tiramisu</li><li>Fruits and ice cream</li></ul>

What's on the menu of state banquet?

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that President Donald Trump would say more on Taiwan "in the coming days".The self-ruled island, which China views as part of its territory, is set to be a key issue for talks in Beijing between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping.

Trump will say more on Taiwan 'in the coming days': Bessent

Chinese President Xi Jinping says, "...China and US have written many chapters of friendship through mutual openness and cooperation. Under the new situation, President Trump and I are 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. Today, President Trump and I had an in-depth exchanges on China-US relations and the international &amp; regional dynamics. We both believe that the China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up. Both China and the US 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-US relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world."

Xi Jinping on China-US relations 

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China's advancement could go "hand-in-hand" with making America great again, as he addressed a banquet following talks with US President Donald Trump."Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can totally go hand in hand, help each other succeed, and advance the well-being of the whole world," Xi said, a reference to Trump's MAGA movement.

Xi Tells Trump China’s Rise Can Go ‘Hand in Hand’ With ‘Make America Great Again’ Vision

US President Donald Trump says, "We had extremely positive and productive conversations and meetings today with the Chinese delegation earlier. 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. It was a great honour to be with you."

Trump praises talks with China

Xi urges the two sides to work closely together. “We must make it work and never mess it up,” he says, adding, “Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals.”

'Two countries should be partners rather than rivals': Xi urges Trump

&nbsp;“We can help each other succeed and advance the well being of the whole world,” the Chinese leader says.

Xi welcome speech for Trump 

Xi Jinping appears to be seeking either a shift in rhetoric or fresh assurances from President Donald Trump regarding Taiwan. Beijing is looking for clear confirmation that the US does not support Taiwan’s independence. Ideally, China would also like to see a further reduction in US arms sales to Taiwan, including the defence package currently under consideration that Taipei is awaiting.

Xi Seeks Taiwan Assurances From Trump Ahead of Key Talks

On the Xi Jinping-Donald Trump meeting and the Tibet issue, the Tibetan Government in exile, Spokesperson, Tenzin Lekshay told ANI, "It's very important that the two world leaders should meet and to engage to make a better future for all the world. And they should be responsible also. They should also understand that in this chaotic time that we are living in, the Tibet issue is still an unresolved issue. The US has made lots of policies on Tibet, which all talk about engaging with the Chinese to seek dialogue to resolve this under the Tibetan conflict. The US can put up this cause to the Chinese leaders because the Chinese leaders are the ones who suppress the Tibetan identity, who are the ones who have occupied Tibet."

Tibetan Government in exile spokesperson on Xi Jinping-Donald Trump meeting 

"The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy," the White House said.

Trump, Xi agreed Strait of Hormuz 'must remain open'

"The Beijing authorities are currently the sole risk to regional peace and stability," Taiwan Foreign Ministry said in a statement adding that "Beijing has no right to make any claims on behalf of Taiwan internationally."

Taiwan reacts after Xi warns Trump

'China is willing to work with the US to translate the 'new orientation' of China-US relations into actions toward each other', says China Foreign Ministry

'China is willing to work with the US'

Xi stated that he and president Trump agreed to establish a “constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the US”

Xi hails new era of 'constructive strategic stable relationship' with US

A statement from the Chinese foreign ministry said:<blockquote>Xi Jinping emphasised that China is committed to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations. He stated that he and president Trump agreed to establish a “constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the US” as a new positioning for China-US relations, which will provide strategic guidance for China-US relations for the next three years and beyond, and is believed to be welcomed by the people of both countries and the international community. “Constructive strategic stability” should be positive stability based on cooperation, benign stability with moderate competition, normalised stability with manageable differences, and lasting stability with a promising future of peace. “A constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the US” is not just a slogan, but should be a matter of concerted action.</blockquote>

Chinese foreign ministry statement on Trump-Xi meet

China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing is willing to work with the United States to turn the “new orientation” of China-US relations into concrete actions and strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The ministry also stressed that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remains the “biggest common denominator” between China and the US.

China calls for stable US-China ties, stresses peace in Taiwan Strait

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;President Xi Jinping and President Trump visited the Temple of Heaven and had a photo taken in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. &lt;a href="https://t.co/1jPen5bhXQ"&gt;pic.twitter.com/1jPen5bhXQ&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SpoxCHN_MaoNing/status/2054809357733548241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

China shares image of Trump and Xi taken in front of Temple of Heaven

Taiwan's foreign ministry said that China is the "sole risk" to regional peace and stability, after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that the issue of Taiwan could lead to conflict. "The Beijing authorities are currently the sole risk to regional peace and stability," the ministry said in a statement, highlighting China's "military harassment" and grey-zone activities around Taiwan and the region as evidence, and adding that "Beijing has no right to make any claims on behalf of Taiwan internationally.

Taiwan says China is 'sole risk' to regional peace, stability

US President Donald Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping discussed the war in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, and issues on the Korean Peninsula when they met in Beijing on Thursday, the Chinese government said."The two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula," according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

Trump, Xi discussed Middle East, Ukraine, Korean Peninsula: Beijing

China has renewed export licences for hundreds of US beef processing plants, customs data showed, in a possible goodwill gesture as the leaders of both countries met in Beijing.

China renews hundreds of US beef exporters' licences amid summit

US President Donald Trump described his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as "great" when questioned by reporters. However, he declined to elaborate further. Reporters also asked whether Taiwan was discussed during the meeting, but Trump did not respond as he stood alongside Xi for photographs after arriving at the Temple of Heaven. -- Agencies

Trump declines to say if he and Xi discussed Taiwan

US President Donald Trump says "China is beautiful" as reporters fire questions at him at the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Standing side-by-side, Trump and China's Xi did not respond to questions about whether they had discussed Taiwan during their bilateral meeting earlier in the day.

'China is beautiful', Trump says at Temple of Heaven in Beijing

Marco Rubio said US officials would try to persuade China to take a more “active role” in resolving the conflict in Iran. The US secretary of state told Fox News while en route to China that the US had made its case to Beijing on why it should engage in efforts to settle simmering tensions with Iran.

What has US officials said before the visit?

Xi Jinping said the new positioning agreed upon during talks with Donald Trump would provide “strategic guidance” for US-China relations over the next three years and beyond. Xi said both sides should expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, healthcare, tourism and law enforcement, while also urging Washington to handle the Taiwan issue with the “utmost prudence.” According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the two leaders also exchanged views on the Middle East situation, the Ukraine crisis and developments on the Korean Peninsula.

Xi hints at new phase of US-China relations

The Trump-Xi bilateral meet has wrapped, a WH official said. It lasted for 2 hours and 15 mins

Trump-Xi bilateral meet lasts for 2 hours and 15 mins

Taiwan said Thursday the United States has expressed "clear and firm support" for the island democracy, as US President Donald Trump meets with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. "The US side has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear and firm support for Taiwan," cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee told reporters.

Taiwan says US has 'reaffirmed its clear and firm support' for island

Several of the US company CEOs entered the room during the Trump-Xi talks, according to China's CCTV. Responding to reporters on his way out of the Great Hall of the People, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he wants to accomplish "many good things" in China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he hopes the two leaders will build on a good relationship to improve two-way ties, CCTV reported. Apple CEO Tim Cook gave an affirmative gesture as he was leaving.

Xi meeting US CEOs now

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump concluded their high-stakes bilateral meeting in Beijing after discussions on trade, Taiwan, rare earth minerals and global security. The summit at the Great Hall of the People came amid rising US-China tensions and ongoing concerns over the Iran war and global economic uncertainty.

Xi-Trump meeting concludes

Xi quoted an ancient Greek historian to express his hopes that the US and China can avoid conflict, saying that history, the world and its people were asking whether the two countries can transcend the “Thucydides Trap” and forge a new model for relations between major powers.

Two countries can transcend the “Thucydides Trap", says Xi

Xi Jinping has told Trump their countries could come into conflict if the issue over self-ruled Taiwan claimed by Beijing is mishandled, Chinese state media said.

Xi tells Trump China could 'come into conflict' with US if Taiwan mishandled – report

“You’re a great leader,” Trump told Xi. “Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

Trump praises Xi

Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday as investors balanced optimism around the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing with inflation concerns and Middle East-linked energy risks.Wall Street’s tech-driven momentum pushed the Nasdaq and S&amp;P 500 to fresh record highs overnight, powered by AI enthusiasm and strong earnings, but Asia remained cautious as traders looked for signs of progress in US-China trade talks.Trump and Xi opened their Beijing summit with warm public remarks, raising hopes for some easing in tensions, though analysts remain cautious about any major breakthrough.Meanwhile, inflation pressures persisted after US wholesale prices surged beyond expectations, while Brent crude hovered above $105 a barrel as the Strait of Hormuz crisis continued to weigh on energy markets.Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei advanced, while Shanghai and Singapore slipped, reflecting investor caution as markets await concrete outcomes from the high-stakes summit. &nbsp;

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Asia markets mixed as Trump-Xi summit, AI rally and inflation shape sentiment

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened his high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 14) by striking a tone of warmth, caution and strategic optimism, telling the US president he was "happy" to welcome him back to Beijing at what he described as a moment when the world stands at a historic "crossroads." Seated at the head of the table inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi framed the meeting as bigger than a routine bilateral engagement, presenting it instead as a defining moment for global stability.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-world-at-crossroads-xi-jinping-tells-trump-china-and-united-states-should-be-partners-not-rivals-beijing-talks-musk-rubio-1778726835661">Here's all you need to know</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260514/image-1778727567434.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'World at crossroads': Xi Jinping tells Trump China and United States 'should be partners, not rivals'"></figure>

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: 'World at crossroads': Xi Jinping tells Trump China and United States 'should be partners, not rivals'

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked up the red-carpeted steps into Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where high-level talks are now underway.Xi is delivering opening remarks as the two leaders begin discussions on trade, Iran and Taiwan.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: US and China leaders sit down for vital talks; Xi delivering opening remarks

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpInChina?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#TrumpInChina&lt;/a&gt; | US President Donald Trump was accorded a grand military reception, including a 21-gun salute, upon his arrival at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedStates?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#UnitedStates&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#Trump&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/military?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#military&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#China&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/z2LgMdjClM"&gt;pic.twitter.com/z2LgMdjClM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; WION (@WIONews) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2054748381717868991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump accorded a grand military reception, including 21-gun salute

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Children waving flowers and American flags welcomed US President Donald Trump at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People during his ceremonial reception in China&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedStates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#UnitedStates&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#China&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#Trump&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XiJinping?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#XiJinping&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/Bw1DjHboW8"&gt;pic.twitter.com/Bw1DjHboW8&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— WION (@WIONews) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2054747247146057950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Children waving flowers and American flags welcomed POTUS

US President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping at Beijing's Great Hall of the People for a high-stakes summit.The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation including State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and business CEOs including Elon Musk awaited him.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260514/image-1778725146279.jpg"></figure>

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump, Xi shake hands at Beijing's Great Hall of the People

US President Donald Trump has arrived at the Great Hall of the People to take part in high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, with trade, Iran, and Taiwan topping the agenda.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump-Xi summit begins in Beijing amid global tensions

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a formal greeting ceremony, marking his first engagement of the two-day visit to China&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedStates?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#UnitedStates&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#China&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ceremony?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#ceremony&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#Trump&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/Mt69H9EkJ7"&gt;pic.twitter.com/Mt69H9EkJ7&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; WION (@WIONews) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2054745463908446702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump-Xi meet during a formal greeting ceremony

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;U.S. President Donald Trump received a grand ceremonial welcome upon arriving at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedStates?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#UnitedStates&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#Trump&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#China&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatHall?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#GreatHall&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/QsNW8je35t"&gt;pic.twitter.com/QsNW8je35t&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; WION (@WIONews) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2054746223308095571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump receives a grand ceremonial welcome upon arriving at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump-Xi pose for press ahead of vital talks

Beyond tariffs, the two leaders are also expected to tackle China’s rare earth export controls, artificial intelligence competition and broader economic rivalry.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Rare earths, AI rivalry and market access also key summit flashpoints

"We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they are doing now, and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told broadcaster Fox News in an interview aired Wednesday ahead of the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Rubio says hopes to convince China to play 'more active role' in Iran

Trump has said he plans to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, a sensitive move likely to be closely watched by Beijing and regional allies.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Taiwan issue under sharp focus as Trump raises arms sales

Trump and Xi are expected to discuss extending their fragile tariff truce, reached last year after a bruising trade war that saw tariffs soar beyond 100 percent.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trade truce extension on the table as tariff war shadows summit

Trump said he expects a lengthy discussion with Xi on Iran, while Washington hopes Beijing will use its influence to pressure Tehran amid the ongoing Gulf conflict.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Iran crisis expected to dominate Trump-Xi discussions

Trump landed in Beijing alongside top US CEOs including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang as he pushes for major business and market access deals.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Trump arrives with Musk, Jensen Huang in business-heavy delegation

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Trump with full state honours in Beijing, offering pomp and ceremony despite deep tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Updates: Xi gives Trump grand state welcome at Great Hall of the People

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday (May 14), with Iran, trade tensions and Taiwan expected to dominate talks. All LIVE updates HERE.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Highlights: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday (May 14), with Iran, trade tensions and Taiwan expected to dominate talks. Trump, on his first China visit since 2017, received a grand ceremonial welcome in Beijing and is accompanied by top US business leaders including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Tesla’s Elon Musk, underscoring his push for major commercial deals. The summit comes amid deep strains between the two powers, including a fragile tariff truce after last year’s trade war, China’s rare earth restrictions, AI rivalry and growing geopolitical friction over Taiwan. Iran is also expected to feature prominently, with Washington hoping Beijing can play a bigger role given China’s economic ties with Tehran. Trump has said he expects a warm personal reception from Xi, but both sides face difficult negotiations as they seek business wins while managing one of the world’s most consequential and tense bilateral relationships.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Highlights: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday (May 14), with Iran, trade tensions and Taiwan expected to dominate talks. All LIVE updates HERE.

Trump-Xi Summit LIVE Highlights: Trump says China agrees to buy 200 Boeing aircraft

American intelligence officials believe Chinese companies have been in discussions with Iran over potential arms sales, with plans to route weapons through third-party countries to conceal the origin of the military support. According to US officials familiar with the intelligence, Chinese firms and Iranian representatives discussed possible transfers of military equipment during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, it remains unclear whether any weapons have actually been delivered or whether the Chinese government formally approved the proposed deals. The revelations are expected to increase pressure on US President Donald Trump during his visit to China this week. Despite taking a hard stance with leaders of smaller nations, Trump appears focused on stabilizing relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-level talks in Beijing.&nbsp;Speaking on Tuesday (May 12), Trump said he planned to have a ‘long talk’ with Xi about the escalating Middle East conflict and added that the Chinese leader had been ‘relatively good’ on Iran. Officials briefed on the intelligence offered differing assessments on whether the weapons had already reached intermediary countries. So far, no Chinese-made weapons appear to have been used directly against American or Israeli forces since the war with Iran intensified in late February. Last month, reports emerged that US intelligence agencies had obtained information suggesting China may have transferred MANPADS, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile systems, to Iran. The weapons are capable of targeting low-flying aircraft, and officials also believed Beijing was considering additional shipments of military equipment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-rejects-benjamin-netanyahu-s-secret-visit-claims-amid-ongoing-iran-conflict-1778716836701">UAE rejects Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘secret visit’ claims amid ongoing Iran conflict</a><h2>Pressure on Beijing</h2>US officials have been quietly and publicly urging China to reduce its support for Iran amid the conflict. Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, and members of his administration are reportedly trying to avoid adding further tensions during the diplomatic visit. However, American officials believe any Chinese effort to supply military equipment to Iran is unacceptable and want Beijing to block all arms transfers. The officials, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the intelligence and the timing of Trump’s trip, said at least one of the possible transit countries involved in the discussions was located in Africa. It remains unclear whether any shipment has reached the country.&nbsp;Following earlier reports regarding the possible MANPADS transfers, Trump said he personally appealed to Xi to stop any military supplies to Iran. “I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying ⁠that, essentially, he’s not doing that,” Trump said during an interview with Fox Business Network.<h2>China-Iran cooperation under lens</h2>Since the beginning of the conflict, China has reportedly provided Iran with intelligence support and satellite surveillance capabilities that helped monitor US military positions across the region. American officials also allege that China has supplied dual-use technology components needed for the production of drones, missiles, and other military systems. These include semiconductors, sensors, and voltage converters, which can be used for both civilian manufacturing and military purposes.&nbsp;Supplying dual-use materials typically attracts less international scrutiny than direct weapons sales. China has similarly been accused of providing such components to Russia during the war in Ukraine. However, intelligence officials say the alleged effort to move completed weapons through third-party countries indicates a deliberate attempt to keep military support for Iran hidden from public view.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-launches-ai-powered-hyperlocal-monsoon-forecast-system-how-will-ai-forecast-benefit-farmers-1778693875491/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-launches-ai-powered-hyperlocal-monsoon-forecast-system-how-will-ai-forecast-benefit-farmers-1778693875491/embed</a><h2>Strategic interests in the Middle East</h2>China remains one of Iran’s largest economic partners and purchases around 80 per cent of Iran’s oil exports, often at discounted prices due to international sanctions.While the economic relationship is significantly more important for Tehran than for Beijing, analysts say China has strong strategic reasons to maintain ties with Iran.Beijing relies heavily on energy shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporting Iran could help ensure Chinese-bound oil tankers continue to move through the region safely. However, the ongoing war and instability have severely disrupted shipping traffic through the strait. Although a ceasefire was reached weeks ago, maritime trade has struggled to recover fully, creating new economic pressures for China and global markets alike.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

US officials claim Chinese companies discussed secret arms sales to Iran through third countries as Trump visits Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping

American intelligence officials believe Chinese companies have been in discussions with Iran over potential arms sales, with plans to route weapons through third-party countries to conceal the origin of the military support. According to US officials familiar with the intelligence, Chinese firms and Iranian representatives discussed possible transfers of military equipment during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, it remains unclear whether any weapons have actually been delivered or whether the Chinese government formally approved the proposed deals. The revelations are expected to increase pressure on US President Donald Trump during his visit to China this week. Despite taking a hard stance with leaders of smaller nations, Trump appears focused on stabilizing relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-level talks in Beijing. Speaking on Tuesday (May 12), Trump said he planned to have a ‘long talk’ with Xi about the escalating Middle East conflict and added that the Chinese leader had been ‘relatively good’ on Iran. Officials briefed on the intelligence offered differing assessments on whether the weapons had already reached intermediary countries. So far, no Chinese-made weapons appear to have been used directly against American or Israeli forces since the war with Iran intensified in late February. Last month, reports emerged that US intelligence agencies had obtained information suggesting China may have transferred MANPADS, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile systems, to Iran. The weapons are capable of targeting low-flying aircraft, and officials also believed Beijing was considering additional shipments of military equipment. Also Read: UAE rejects Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘secret visit’ claims amid ongoing Iran conflict Pressure on Beijing US officials have been quietly and publicly urging China to reduce its support for Iran amid the conflict. Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, and members of his administration are reportedly trying to avoid adding further tensions during the diplomatic visit. However, American officials believe any Chinese effort to supply military equipment to Iran is unacceptable and want Beijing to block all arms transfers. The officials, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the intelligence and the timing of Trump’s trip, said at least one of the possible transit countries involved in the discussions was located in Africa. It remains unclear whether any shipment has reached the country. Following earlier reports regarding the possible MANPADS transfers, Trump said he personally appealed to Xi to stop any military supplies to Iran. “I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying ⁠that, essentially, he’s not doing that,” Trump said during an interview with Fox Business Network. China-Iran cooperation under lens Since the beginning of the conflict, China has reportedly provided Iran with intelligence support and satellite surveillance capabilities that helped monitor US military positions across the region. American officials also allege that China has supplied dual-use technology components needed for the production of drones, missiles, and other military systems. These include semiconductors, sensors, and voltage converters, which can be used for both civilian manufacturing and military purposes. Supplying dual-use materials typically attracts less international scrutiny than direct weapons sales. China has similarly been accused of providing such components to Russia during the war in Ukraine. However, intelligence officials say the alleged effort to move completed weapons through third-party countries indicates a deliberate attempt to keep military support for Iran hidden from public view. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-launches-ai-powered-hyperlocal-monsoon-forecast-system-how-will-ai-forecast-benefit-farmers-1778693875491/embed Strategic interests in the Middle East China remains one of Iran’s largest economic partners and purchases around 80 per cent of Iran’s oil exports, often at discounted prices due to international sanctions. While the economic relationship is significantly more important for Tehran than for Beijing, analysts say China has strong strategic reasons to maintain ties with Iran. Beijing relies heavily on energy shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. Supporting Iran could help ensure Chinese-bound oil tankers continue to move through the region safely. However, the ongoing war and instability have severely disrupted shipping traffic through the strait. Although a ceasefire was reached weeks ago, maritime trade has struggled to recover fully, creating new economic pressures for China and global markets alike. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

US intelligence claims that Chinese firms discussed covert arms transfers to Iran through third countries amid escalating Middle East tensions

Did Chinese companies plot covert weapons transfers to Iran? Here's what US intelligence claims

Donald Trump is set to arrive in the Chinese capital on Wednesday evening (May 13), marking the first visit by a US leader to China in nearly nine years. Amidst a backdrop of global instability, including a stalled trade truce and the ongoing energy crisis caused by the West Asia conflict, the US president’s itinerary leads with a stop of "tremendous symbolic significance": the ancient Temple of Heaven. While the summit’s agenda is packed with high-stakes discussions on Taiwan, AI regulation, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the decision to visit the Temple of Heaven on Thursday (May 14) serves as a powerful diplomatic gesture. Historically, the site is where Chinese emperors once acted as the "Son of Heaven" to pray for peace and prosperity.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-to-visit-temple-of-heaven-decoding-significance-of-china-s-historic-site-1778608368570/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-to-visit-temple-of-heaven-decoding-significance-of-china-s-historic-site-1778608368570/embed</a>&nbsp;<h3>What is the Temple of Heaven?</h3>Located in southern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) is a sprawling imperial complex twice the size of the Forbidden City. Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was designed as a sacred link between the human and celestial realms. Its architecture is a masterpiece of eastern cosmology, famously utilising the "Round Heaven, Square Earth" philosophy, in which the southern buildings are circular, and the northern platforms are rectangular.The most iconic structure within the park is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This magnificent triple-eaved circular building was constructed without a single nail, supported by 28 massive pillars representing the seasons, months, and traditional Chinese hours.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-appears-to-doze-off-at-official-event-gets-flak-from-democrats-1778607498387">Trump Appears to 'Doze Off' at Official Event, Gets Flak From Democrats</a>&nbsp;US Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly characterised the visit as a moment of "immense symbolic weight". This is seemingly viewed as though the Trump administration is attempting to lower the temperature of the relationship before hard-nosed negotiations begin on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following the temple visit, President Trump is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping. The visit comes at a delicate time when regional security concerns regarding Iran have become a "key diplomatic focus", with the US expected to press China on its economic ties to Tehran. The 600-year-old Temple of Heaven will serve as the venue for the two leaders for their working lunch on Friday. The news outlet South China Morning Post had noted that the temple represents the "long-term stability" of the past.&nbsp;

US President Trump visits the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing during his 2026 state visit to China. Discover the symbolism behind this ancient site amid high-stakes diplomacy.

Donald Trump is set to arrive in the Chinese capital on Wednesday evening (May 13), marking the first visit by a US leader to China in nearly nine years. Amidst a backdrop of global instability, including a stalled trade truce and the ongoing energy crisis caused by the West Asia conflict, the US president’s itinerary leads with a stop of "tremendous symbolic significance": the ancient Temple of Heaven. While the summit’s agenda is packed with high-stakes discussions on Taiwan, AI regulation, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the decision to visit the Temple of Heaven on Thursday (May 14) serves as a powerful diplomatic gesture. Historically, the site is where Chinese emperors once acted as the "Son of Heaven" to pray for peace and prosperity. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-to-visit-temple-of-heaven-decoding-significance-of-china-s-historic-site-1778608368570/embed What is the Temple of Heaven? Located in southern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) is a sprawling imperial complex twice the size of the Forbidden City. Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was designed as a sacred link between the human and celestial realms. Its architecture is a masterpiece of eastern cosmology, famously utilising the "Round Heaven, Square Earth" philosophy, in which the southern buildings are circular, and the northern platforms are rectangular. The most iconic structure within the park is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This magnificent triple-eaved circular building was constructed without a single nail, supported by 28 massive pillars representing the seasons, months, and traditional Chinese hours. Also read: Trump Appears to 'Doze Off' at Official Event, Gets Flak From Democrats US Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly characterised the visit as a moment of "immense symbolic weight". This is seemingly viewed as though the Trump administration is attempting to lower the temperature of the relationship before hard-nosed negotiations begin on Friday. Following the temple visit, President Trump is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping. The visit comes at a delicate time when regional security concerns regarding Iran have become a "key diplomatic focus", with the US expected to press China on its economic ties to Tehran. The 600-year-old Temple of Heaven will serve as the venue for the two leaders for their working lunch on Friday. The news outlet South China Morning Post had noted that the temple represents the "long-term stability" of the past.

US President Trump visits the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing during his 2026 state visit to China. Discover the symbolism behind this ancient site amid high-stakes diplomacy.

Significance of Temple of Heaven: Trump to begin landmark China visit with symbolic tour

donald-trump-china-visit-2026

Donald Trump China Visit 2026, News on Donald Trump China Visit 2026, stories on Donald Trump China Visit 2026, articles on Donald Trump China Visit 2026, Donald Trump China Visit 2026 stories at Wion, Donald Trump China Visit 2026 news, Donald Trump China Visit 2026 latest news

donald trump-china-visit-2026

Donald Trump's China visit: The president got a greeter upgrade in Beijing. Here is what an expert says it means

Xi Jinping tells Trump China and United States 'should be partners, not rivals'

Trump-Xi Summit Highlights: Trump says China agrees to buy 200 Boeing aircraft

Is China supplying weapons to Iran behind the scenes? Here's what we know so far

Temple of Heaven: Trump to begin landmark China visit with symbolic tour