Image Credits: Image Title: China Prepares to Host Trump in First Visit by Sitting US President in Nearly Nine Years. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: May 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
China is preparing to host Donald Trump for the first visit by a sitting American president in nearly nine years, with talks expected to focus on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, the Middle East conflict, and global security tensions.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday ahead of summit-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
The visit marks the first presidential trip to China since Trump’s own 2017 state visit during his first term in office.
High-Stakes Summit in Beijing
According to details released ahead of the summit, Trump and Xi are expected to meet multiple times over two days of official engagements.
The American president is expected to arrive at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning local time for formal bilateral discussions.
Officials say the leaders will discuss major geopolitical and economic issues shaping relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Key topics are expected to include Taiwan, tariffs, technology competition, regional military tensions and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Trump previously stated he intends to raise concerns regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as well as the imprisonment of Hong Kong media figure Jimmy Lai.
Beijing, meanwhile, said discussions would focus on “major issues concerning China-US relations, world peace and development.”
Senior US Officials Join Delegation
Trump is being accompanied by several senior members of his administration, including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth.
Rubio’s presence is notable because China sanctioned him in 2020 over American measures linked to Hong Kong while he served as a U.S. senator.
Chinese officials have since clarified that the sanctions related specifically to his previous role in Congress.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also expected in Beijing after participating in trade negotiations in South Korea with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
CEOs Accompany Trump to Beijing
The summit delegation also includes a large group of prominent American business leaders.
Executives traveling with Trump include Tim Cook, Elon Musk, David Solomon and Michael Miebach.
The participation of major corporate leaders highlights the importance of economic and trade relations between the two countries, whose bilateral trade reached an estimated $414.7 billion in 2025.
Xi is expected to host a formal state banquet for Trump and the American delegation on Thursday evening, followed by a bilateral tea gathering and working lunch on Friday.
Taiwan and Technology Likely to Dominate Talks
Analysts expect Taiwan to remain one of the most sensitive issues during the summit.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed American military support and arms sales to the island.
At the same time, competition over advanced technologies and artificial intelligence is expected to feature prominently in discussions, particularly amid ongoing disputes involving semiconductors and export restrictions.
The talks come during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and growing competition between Washington and Beijing across economic, military and technological sectors.
Chinese Media Highlights Xi-Trump Relationship
Following confirmation of the visit earlier this week, Chinese state media began revisiting previous meetings between Xi and Trump, emphasizing areas of cooperation while acknowledging persistent disagreements.
State-run Xinhua News Agency highlighted comments from Xi stressing the importance of stable China-US relations despite ongoing tensions.
The summit is being closely watched globally as both governments attempt to manage an increasingly complex relationship that continues to shape international politics, trade and security.