China rolls out red carpet welcome for Trump in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a toast as he hosts a state banquet for U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Both President Trump and President Xi addressed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment, and agreed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue, and that a mishandling could sour U.S.-China relations.

President Donald Trump arrives for a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Both President Trump and President Xi addressed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment, and agreed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue, and that a mishandling could sour U.S.-China relations.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk checks his phone next to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador to China David Perdue stand prior to a welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (bottom C), US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (bottom centre R), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (bottom 2nd R), Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang (second row R), senior advisor Stephen Miller (bottom L), Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (3rd R second row) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (C second row) attend a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

President Donald Trump takes a drink after making a toast during a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Both President Trump and President Xi addressed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment, and agreed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue, and that a mishandling could sour U.S.-China relations.

China's President Xi Jinping (2nd L) and US President Donald Trump (C) shake hands as they attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Both President Trump and President Xi addressed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment, and agreed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue, and that a mishandling could sour U.S.-China relations.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Both President Trump and President Xi addressed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment, and agreed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue, and that a mishandling could sour U.S.-China relations.

US President Donald Trump drinks as he attends a state banquet with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight.

China's President Xi Jinping (R) and US President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Xi warned Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict" if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing on May 14.

President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L) inspect a guard of honour during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Children rehearse with flowers and flags for a welcome ceremony for President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

China's President Xi Jinping (R) and US President Donald Trump (C) visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Xi warned Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict" if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing on May 14.

President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L) greet children waving Chinese and US national flags and flowers during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

President Donald Trump reviews an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight.

China's President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and US President Donald Trump (2nd L) talk as Eric Trump (R) and his spouse Lara Trump (L) look on during their visit to the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Xi warned Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict" if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing on May 14.

President Donald Trump trailed by Chinese President Xi Jinping greets other officials at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. The trip by Trump is focused on trade, regional security, and strengthening bilateral ties between the world's two largest economies.

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Xi warned Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict" if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing on May 14.

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) honor guard stand with flags of the US and China in front of the Great Hall of the People ahead of a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Children rehearse ahead of a welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight.

President Donald Trump is escorted by China's Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight.

President Donald Trump arrives aboard Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport during his visit to China, May 13, 2026.

Eric and Lara Trump and SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk walk off Air Force One upon arriving at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang follow Eric and Lara Trump, and Elon Musk off Air Force One upon arriving at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.

President Donald Trump receives flowers upon arriving at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.

President Donald Trump greets Vice President of China Han Zheng as he walks to his motorcade after arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.

President Donald Trump presents SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk to China's Vice President Han Zheng at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.

Vice President of China Han Zheng escorts U.S. President Donald Trump as he arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.

President Donald Trump is escorted by China's Vice President Han Zheng upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.

President Donald Trump talks with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Beijing.

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a friendship walk through Zhongnanhai Garden with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures towards Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026.