Trump begins China visit as world watches US-China talks

May 14, 2026, 09:49 am

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U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng after arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13 ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. /Xinhua

US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Tuesday evening, officially beginning a three-day state visit to China centered on a highly anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Chinese state media including Xinhua News Agency, Trump’s presidential aircraft Air Force One landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at around 7:49 p.m.

The visit marks the first trip to China by a sitting U.S. president since Trump’s previous state visit in November 2017 during his first term in office, more than eight years ago.

Wearing a black suit and purple tie, Trump waved to welcoming officials after stepping off Air Force One.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu were among the officials greeting the U.S. president at the airport. Children holding bouquets also participated in the welcoming ceremony.

Trump smiled as he accepted flowers and briefly spoke with Han before responding to cheers from hundreds of young attendees waving U.S. and Chinese national flags.

He later traveled to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, where crowds of Chinese citizens and international media had gathered hours before his arrival.

Trump is scheduled to hold summit talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday morning.

The meeting will mark the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders since they met during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan last October.

The summit is expected to cover a broad range of issues including tariffs and trade disputes, Taiwan and the ongoing Iran crisis. Observers are also closely watching whether North Korea’s nuclear program and Korean Peninsula security issues will be discussed.

Following the summit, Trump and Xi are expected to visit Beijing’s Temple of Heaven before attending a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People.

On the final day of the visit, the two leaders are expected to continue discussions during a luncheon and tea meeting at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound often referred to as China’s version of the White House.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun welcomed Trump’s visit during a regular press briefing Tuesday.

“China is willing to work with the United States under the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit to expand cooperation and manage differences,” Guo said. “We hope to inject greater stability and certainty into a world facing intertwined changes and turmoil.”

#Donald Trump #Xi Jinping #China #Beijing #US-China summit