President Donald Trump was greeted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing Thursday, kicking off a highly anticipated summit that will include discussions on Iran, Taiwan and artificial intelligence.
Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday evening local time and was greeted at the airport by China’s Vice President Han Zheng, a military band, and hundreds of young people waving flags.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held an hours-long preparatory meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, focused on economic and trade issues. Beijing later described it as “candid, in-depth and constructive.”
Expectations for concrete deliverables from the summit remain low, however, as structural competition and distrust between the two superpowers run deep.
Trump is accompanied by a delegation of high-profile business leaders, including tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.
Trump and Xi will have a bilateral tea and working lunch on Friday, before the U.S. leader returns to Washington.
Take a look at some of the photos below.
Bilateral meeting kicks off
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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U.S. President Donald Trump (C) sits next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd R) during a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
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U.S. President Trump meets China’s President Xi
U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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U.S. President Donald Trump (R) is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping 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.
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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Members of the U.S. delegation assemble
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (bottom centre L), 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 (C second row) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (centre L middle row) attend a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Honor guard assembles ahead of Trump’s arrival
Chinese honour guard take their position at the Great Hall of the People ahead of a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier holds a U.S. flag in front of the Great Hall of the People ahead of the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
The Beast, ferrying U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives for a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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Trump arrives in Beijing
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing to kick off a landmark state visit in China on May 13, 2026.
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A young girl presents a flower bouquet to Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) receives a flower bouquet from a young girl as Vice President of China Han Zheng looks on upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
300 Chinese youth greeting Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by China’s Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Musk, Rubio, Hegseth and Huang leave Air Force One
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang walk off Air Force One upon arriving at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Guard of Honor lines up before Trump’s arrival
Chinese youth, a military honor guard and military band join Chinese officials to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump as he arrives on Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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Onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of Trump
People gather to watch U.S. President Donald Trump’s Air Force One arrives at Beijing Capital Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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Flags of the U.S. and China adorn Tiananmen Gate
American and Chinese flags fly near a portrait of the late Mao Zedong at Tiananmen Gate on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. It is the first visit to China by a U.S. President since Trump’s last visit in 2017.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Heavy security where Trump is staying
Motor unit police officers ride around the perimeter of the hotel where U.S. President Donald Trump is staying in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Chinese paramilitary police officers are seen around the perimeter of the hotel where U.S. President Donald Trump is staying in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
People gather outside the Four Seasons Hotel
People gather to see the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump outside the Four Seasons Hotel where he will stay for the duration of his trip to China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Security patrols in Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival
Police dogs and their handlers patrol before the passage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
U.S. military planes in Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival
U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s China visit on May 12, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images