President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday evening local time, kicking off a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first such meeting in nearly nine years.
The president was greeted at the airport by China’s Vice President Han Zheng, a military band, and hundreds of young people waving flags.
Trump is scheduled to meet Xi on Thursday around 10 a.m. local time for 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 Iran war, which is likely to feature prominently in the talks.
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.
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.
Anadolu | Anadolu | 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
Elon Musk on the red carpet with Trump
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk follows U.S. President Donald Trump on the red carpet upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
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.
Fred Lee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
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
Chinese honor guards escort Trump’s motorcade
Members of a Chinese motorcycle honor guard escort the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump as he arrives at the Four Seasons Hotel on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | 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
Tight security 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
