Chinese leader Xi Jinping staged a grand welcome for President Trump in Beijing this week for the first U.S. presidential visit to China in nearly nine years. The summit projected an air of friendship between the world’s two most powerful nations, even as tensions simmer over trade, technology and geopolitical influence.
Here’s a look at some key moments in Trump’s second state visit to China.
Trump and American Trade Delegation
Thursday’s summit at the Great Hall of the People was convened in the East Hall, typically used for high-level diplomatic meetings. Trump was flanked by cabinet members, American diplomats and a delegation of U.S. chief executives.
On the other side of the table, Xi was joined by top aides and ministers. Also present were China’s finance and commerce ministers, as well as the head of the country’s economic-planning agency.
Great Hall Ceremony Facing Tiananmen Square
At Thursday’s ceremony outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Trump received a 21-gun salute while a Chinese military band played both countries’ national anthems. The two leaders then inspected an honor guard representing China’s army, navy and air force. Xi and Trump also greeted a group of children who cheered and waved Chinese and American flags, before watching a parade by the honor guard.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) honour guards hold flags on the day of the welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool
Trump called the welcome “an honor like few have ever seen before.” He said he was “particularly impressed” by the flag-waving children, saying, “They were happy, they were beautiful.”
U.S. President Donald Trump salutes as he participates in a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
A Special Welcome at the Airport
American presidents visiting China over the years have been greeted at the airport by Chinese officials of varying ranks, depending on the nature of the trip—from working and official visits with less ceremony to a state visit with full pomp—and how Beijing perceived its importance.
Arriving in Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit, President Trump was received at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng , a step up in diplomatic protocol from Trump’s last visit in 2017, when China’s top diplomat at the time greeted the president.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng during an arrival ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport, in Beijing, China, May 13, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci/File Photo
A Tour of the Temple of Heaven
Xi accompanied Trump on a tour of Beijing’s 15th-century Temple of Heaven, where China’s Ming and Qing emperors held rites to seek bountiful harvests and other blessings.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand together as they tour the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Xi brought Trump around the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a circular three-tiered structure and the centerpiece of the complex. Trump’s son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara joined the tour.
A Banquet in the Golden Hall
Xi capped Thursday’s proceedings by hosting a state banquet for Trump at the Golden Hall, an ornately decorated space on the third floor of the Great Hall of the People and the usual venue for such events.
Vehicles of the U.S. delegation outside the Great Hall of the People on the day Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a state banquet, in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
The two leaders talked up the strength of the U.S.-China relationship, harking back to historical connections between the two nations. Xi, for his part, proclaimed that his China Dream of national rejuvenation and Trump’s desire to make America great again “can go hand in hand.”
American and Chinese business leaders dotted the hall, tucking into dishes like lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, Beijing roast duck and tiramisu. A Chinese military band played tunes such as “America the Beautiful” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
A label at the seat for U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of a state banquet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
The size of the Chinese leadership’s presence at the banquet was smaller compared with during Trump’s last visit, in 2017. On Thursday, Xi was joined by just two other members of the seven-person Politburo Standing Committee, the Communist Party’s top decision-making body. When Xi last hosted a banquet for Trump, all six other Standing Committee members attended the event, plus five recently retired members.
Write to Chun Han Wong at chunhan.wong@wsj.com and Andrew Barnett at andrew.barnett@wsj.com
