President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday night local time to begin a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first in nearly nine years.
The president was greeted at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, a military band, and hundreds of flag-waving young people.
President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping at around 10 a.m. local time on Thursday and hold an arrival ceremony, followed by a full day of meetings and events.
The high-stakes summit is expected to cover a wide range of contentious topics, including trade, technology, export controls, Taiwan and the war with Iran, which are likely to be the focus of the talks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a several-hour preparatory meeting on Wednesday in Seoul, South Korea, focusing on economic and trade issues. The Chinese government later described it as “candid, thorough and constructive.”
However, expectations for concrete outcomes from the summit remain low due to deep-rooted structural competition and mistrust between the two superpowers.
Trump is accompanied by a delegation of prominent business leaders, including tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.
Mr Trump and Mr Xi are scheduled to have a bilateral tea and working lunch on Friday before the US leader returns to Washington.
Check out some of the photos below.
President Trump arrives in Beijing
US President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing on May 13, 2026 to begin a landmark state visit to China.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
300 young Chinese people greet President Trump
US President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (Republican) as he arrives at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski AFP | Getty Images
Elon Musk appears on the red carpet with President Trump
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk follows US President Donald Trump on the red carpet as he arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2026.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
Onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of President Trump
People gather to watch U.S. President Donald Trump’s Air Force One arrive at Beijing Capital Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
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US and Chinese flags decorate Tiananmen
American and Chinese flags fly near a portrait of the late Mao Zedong at Tiananmen in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. This is the first visit by a US president to China since President Trump in 2017.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Chinese honor guard protects President Trump’s motorcade
Members of the Chinese motorcycle honor guard escort U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade as it arrives at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2026.
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People gather outside the Four Seasons Hotel
People gathered to watch US President Donald Trump’s motorcade outside the Four Seasons Hotel where he is staying during his visit to China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Security tightened in Beijing ahead of President Trump’s arrival
A police dog and its handler patrol before U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade passes in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | AFP | Getty Images
US military plane arrives in Beijing ahead of President Trump’s arrival
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China on May 12, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Video Visual China Group | Getty Images
