Beijing Welcomes Trump with Military Parade, Xi Jinping Holds Bilateral Talks

US President Donald Trump’s arrival in Beijing was marked by a full state welcome, featuring a military honour guard and a display of cheering children. The meticulously orchestrated pageantry underscored the significance of the bilateral engagement between the two global powers.

Following the ceremonial reception, President Trump and President Xi Jinping convened for a meeting that extended for close to two hours. The private discussions are understood to have covered various facets of the US-China relationship, though specific outcomes remain undisclosed.

Such high-level diplomatic exchanges are frequently framed by Western governments as opportunities for dialogue and stability. However, they also serve to reinforce established power dynamics, particularly within the context of China’s increasing economic and strategic influence, which the US seeks to manage and, where possible, co-opt.