FILE PHOTO: President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April 16, 2026, en route Joint Base Andrews for a trip to Las Vegas. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
[People News] U.S. President Trump arrived at Beijing International Airport on May 13 at 19:50, commencing a three-day state visit. This marks President Trump's return to China after a nine-year hiatus. As he stepped off the gangway, Han Zheng, Vice President of the Chinese Communist Party, was present to welcome him. Over a hundred middle school students lined the red carpet, waving American and Chinese flags while chanting 'Welcome, welcome, warmly welcome.' Following this, Trump's motorcade departed the airport under police escort.
According to Radio Free Asia, prior to President Trump's visit, Beijing was placed on high alert. Reports indicate that several police vehicles were stationed outside the Four Seasons Hotel, where Trump is expected to stay, along with armed police sentry posts. Additionally, information circulating online suggests that multiple U.S. military transport planes have recently landed at Beijing Capital International Airport from the Misawa Air Base in Japan. As of the 13th, it is reported that 12 U.S. C-17 transport planes have arrived in Beijing, exceeding the number that came during Trump's first visit to China in 2017.
Li Ming, a long-time observer of Chinese politics and Sino-U.S. relations, commented in an interview with Radio Free Asia on Wednesday (the 13th) that the upcoming 'Xi-Trump meeting' is garnering significant international attention, but it remains challenging for outsiders to accurately predict the outcomes of the discussions.
He stated: 'The entire world has reached a crossroads, and no one can afford to be complacent. The Russia-Ukraine war continues, and the situation in the Middle East remains unresolved. In this context, the Chinese Communist Party must confront a difficult-to-read American president with determination.'
Before his departure, President Trump remarked that he has a good relationship with Xi Jinping and feels "excited" about his upcoming trip to China, expecting that Xi Jinping will visit the United States by the end of this year. He indicated that the discussions during this visit will focus on issues such as trade and the situation in Iran, expressing hope that China will further open its market to allow more American companies to enter.
The topics of technology and trade between China and the United States are drawing significant attention.
Prior to Trump's arrival in Beijing, Chinese and American officials conducted a new round of economic and trade consultations in Busan, South Korea. According to the official Xinhua News Agency, both sides engaged in "candid, in-depth, and constructive exchanges" regarding economic and trade matters. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin then travelled to Beijing to accompany President Trump. Alongside him are 18 American business representatives, including those from the artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors, as well as investors.
Beijing scholar Li Xianyang, in an interview with Radio Free Asia, noted that the presence of these business representatives highlights that trade, technology, and investment issues remain key focal points of the upcoming "Xi-Trump meeting."
He stated, "I saw a list of 18 names, including Huang Renxun, who boarded last. It is anticipated that He Lifeng will negotiate with Lutnik on the topics of China-U.S. technology competition and market access, which will also be significant discussion points. Among these 18 business leaders, 9 are from the technology sector, including heads of semiconductor, internet, telecommunications, and biotechnology companies. There are 6 representatives from Wall Street financial institutions, along with two representatives from Boeing and one from Cargill (agriculture, energy, and raw materials)."
According to this list, Li Xianyang noted, "This indicates that Trump’s visit to China will address issues such as the technology supply chain, AI chips, and the opening of financial markets, while also requiring China to purchase Boeing aircraft, agricultural products, and energy products."
On the 13th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that during Trump’s visit, the leaders of China and the United States will engage in an in-depth exchange of views on significant issues, including Sino-U.S. relations and the international situation.
Public attention is focused on Li Zhiying and the Taiwan Strait issue.
In addition to trade, the topics of concern regarding the "Xi-Trump meeting" also encompass the Iran nuclear issue, sanctions against Iran, China’s purchase of Iranian oil, the Taiwan Strait issue, as well as competition in artificial intelligence and technology.
Before his trip, President Trump reiterated to the media that he would raise the case of Li Zhiying, the founder of Hong Kong's Next Media, with Xi Jinping. He remarked that Li Zhiying "is trying to do the right thing" and expressed hope for his release.
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson remarked that Li Zhiying is the "main planner and participant in the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong," asserting that Hong Kong affairs fall under China’s internal matters, with the Central Government firmly supporting Hong Kong’s judicial authorities in "fulfilling their responsibilities according to the law."
Scholar Li Ming pointed out that compared to some previous U.S. presidents, President Trump’s diplomatic style is more assertive and less predictable.
He stated, "Many U.S. presidents consider political correctness, and their personalities are relatively easy to understand. But Trump is different. He is a highly controversial president who is very difficult to read."
Scholar: The likelihood of Beijing using force against Taiwan is diminishing.
Li Ming provided an example where, during President Trump’s first meeting with Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago in 2017, he unexpectedly informed Xi Jinping during dinner that the U.S. had just launched missiles at Syria.
He remarked, "This move is extremely ruthless and quite decisive. Such actions typically only occur in gangster films."
The Taiwan Strait issue is set to be one of the discussion topics. President Trump had previously indicated that he would address U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping. Chinese state media have stressed that China will not compromise on matters concerning national sovereignty and security.
Nonetheless, Li Ming believes that the likelihood of Beijing resorting to military action against Taiwan has diminished following the Russia-Ukraine war. He stated, "Taiwan now functions more like a card. In light of the past few years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the significance of this card has been steadily decreasing. Beijing's propaganda will continue, as failing to do so would undermine the regime's legitimacy, but I think the chances of actually engaging in a war in the Taiwan Strait are becoming increasingly unlikely."
As per the arrangements currently disclosed, President Trump is scheduled to attend a welcome ceremony in Beijing on the 14th, where he will engage in bilateral meetings and a state banquet with Xi Jinping, and will also visit the Temple of Heaven. On the 15th, China has planned a bilateral tea gathering and working lunch, after which Trump and his delegation will return to the United States.
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