President Donald Trump was greeted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off a much-anticipated summit that will include talks on Iran, Taiwan and artificial intelligence.
Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening local time and was greeted at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, a military contingent, and hundreds of young people waving flags.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held an hours-long preparatory meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, focusing on economic and trade issues. Beijing later described it as “clear, profound and constructive.”
However, prospects for concrete delivery at the summit remain low, as structural rivalry and mistrust between the two superpowers deepens.
Trump is accompanied by a team of high-profile business leaders, including tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.
Trump and Xi will have a bilateral tea and a working lunch on Friday, before the US leader returns to Washington.
Check out some of the photos below.
The bilateral meeting begins
US 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.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump (C) sits next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio (second R) during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
US President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi
US President Donald Trump is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US 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. Trump’s trip focused on trade, regional security, and strengthening bilateral relations between the world’s two largest economies.
China Lake | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Reception at the Great Hall of the People
US President Donald Trump (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
China Lake | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Members of the US delegation meet
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (bottom center L), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (bottom center 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 Muskre (C 2nd CEO Tim to welcome Apple Tim event. US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Honorable Mentions Meet Before Trump Arrives
Chinese guards take their position at the Great Hall of the People before a welcoming 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 an American flag in front of the Great Hall of the People before the arrival of US President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
The beast, carrying US President Donald Trump, arrives for a reception at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Trump arrives in Beijing
US President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing to begin a historic visit to China on May 13, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
A little girl presents Trump with a bouquet of flowers
US President Donald Trump (C) accepts a bouquet of flowers from a young girl as Chinese Vice President Han Zheng looks on as he arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
300 Chinese youth greet Trump
US President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (R) as he arrives at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Musk, Rubio, Hegseth and Huang left Air Force One
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang exit Air Force One upon arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
The Guard of Honor is lined up before Trump’s arrival
Chinese youth, an honorary military guard and a military group 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.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Spectators hope to see Trump
People gather to watch US President Donald Trump’s Air Force One arrive at Beijing Capital Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Fred Lee Getty Images News | Getty Images
US and Chinese flags adorn the Tiananmen Gate
American and Chinese flags fly near a statue of late Mao Zedong at Tiananmen Gate on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. It is the first visit by a US President to China since Trump’s last visit in 2017.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Tight security where Trump lives
Traffic police patrol the perimeter of the hotel where US President Donald Trump is staying in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Chinese police are seen surrounding the perimeter of the hotel where US President Donald Trump is staying in Beijing on May 14, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
People gathered outside the Four Seasons Hotel
People gather to see the motorcade of US President Donald Trump outside the Four Seasons Hotel where he will stay during his trip to China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Security monitoring in Beijing before Trump’s arrival
Police dogs and their handlers stand guard before US President Donald Trump’s motorcade passes in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
US military planes in Beijing before Trump’s arrival
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China on May 12, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images
