President Xi Jinping held a ceremony to welcome US President Donald Trump on his first visit to China in nearly 10 years, before engaging in bilateral talks amid pressures over trade, the Iran war, and Taiwan issues.
On 14 May 2026 GMT+7, President Xi Jinping hosted a formal welcoming ceremony for President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. This marked Trump's first visit to China since 2017. The ceremony featured a band playing the US national anthem alongside a group of schoolchildren. The two leaders shook hands and walked side by side on the red carpet in a friendly atmosphere, warmly conversing and exchanging shoulder touches during the event.
Following the ceremony, the leaders of the world’s two largest economies began official talks with senior officials. Over the two-day meeting, key issues expected to be discussed included trade, technology, Taiwan, and the tense situation in the Middle East.
President Xi opened the meeting by stating that the world is amid turmoil and at a new crossroads. He questioned whether China and the US could overcome the 'Thucydides Trap,' a political theory describing the tendency for conflict between a rising power and an established one.
President Trump praised the excellent relationship between the two countries, expressing great respect for Xi Jinping and China. He hailed Xi as a great leader and said the US delegation looked forward to discussing reciprocal trade issues. Trump called it a great honor to visit China, with observers noting that this meeting could shape US-China relations for years to come.