United States (U.S) President Donald Trump on Wednesday arrived in Beijing, China for two days of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Trump landed in China aboard Air Force One around 7:50 p.m. local time.
He was greeted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who is widely seen as Xi’s envoy for diplomatic events and who last year attended Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Other officials on the ground included U.S Ambassador to China David Perdue, his counterpart Chinese Ambassador to the U.S Xie Feng, and China’s executive vice minister of foreign affairs, Ma Zhaoxu, the White House said.
Trump, his son, Eric Trump, and daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, then participated in an arrival ceremony which featured a red carpet, a military honor guard, and a military band.
Joining Trump on his trip to China are some of the U.S’s top business leaders.
NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang, Tim Cook of Apple, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Larry Fink of BlackRock, are among those who arrived in China with the U.S president on Wednesday.
“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level,” Trump says in a post on social media.
Trump said that it will be his “very first request” when he meets the Chinese leader.
“I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible Countries,” he said.
The primary objective of the Trump-Xi Beijing Summit is tactical stabilization rather than a total diplomatic reset. Key items on the docket include:
The “Board of Trade” Proposal: Trump is expected to push for a more institutionalized trade framework to ensure China follows through on agricultural and Boeing aircraft purchase commitments.
Artificial Intelligence: With the U.S. and China locked in a “technological cold war,” both leaders are slated to discuss non-binding AI safety guidelines and the potential easing of semiconductor export curbs.
Energy and Iran: Trump is seeking Xi’s influence to help de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supply.
How Trump’s China trip will unfold
Although Trump has arrived in China on Wednesday, the main events of the trip are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Here’s his itinerary at a glance:
Thursday
- Trump will be welcomed at an arrival ceremony with Xi at China’s Great Hall of the People
- The two leaders will then hold talks
- A state banquet is scheduled for the evening
Friday
- There will be a “friendship photo” and handshake with Xi in Beijing’s Zhongnanhai Garden – home to the Communist Party’s headquarters. For foreign dignitaries, invitations here are often viewed as a sign of closeness and recognition
- This will be followed by another bilateral meeting and tea with Xi. A working lunch is then scheduled
- Trump will then head back to the airport for a departure ceremony
