Trump-China visit live: US president claims he and Xi are agreed on how Iran conflict should end

WorldPolitics
15 May 2026 • 3:39 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Trump-China visit live: US president claims he and Xi are agreed on how Iran conflict should end

Donald Trump claims he and Xi Jinping have agreed on how they want to end the Iran war, as the US president concluded a whirlwind visit to China.

China said it welcomed the start of dialogue on the Middle East and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Sitting alongside Xi inside the Chinese Communist Party's secretive Zhongnanhai compound, Trump said: “We feel very similar about (how) we want it to end. We don't want them to have a nuclear weapon."

Trump also said the two sides struck “fantastic trade deals” during an “incredible” visit, but markets reacted weakly to a set of announcements that were light on detail or solid commitments.

Xi hailed the two-day summit as “historic”, adding: “Together, we affirmed the new position of a constructive, strategic and stable China-US relationship."

On Friday, the two leaders had tea, toured Zhongnanhai, a compound where China's leaders live and work, and later held a working lunch.

Trump said the two leaders "settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn't have been able to solve", before setting off on Air Force One for Washington.

Read More

Trump says Xi is ‘very tall’ and out of ‘central casting’ because people in China ‘tend to be a little bit shorter’

Not a burger in sight: The menu for Trump’s state banquet in China as Beijing rolls out the red carpet

While Trump sits down for tea with Xi, Christians in China face an unprecedented crackdown

Rubio grilled on traveling to China in Nike tracksuit after Maduro comparisons

Key Points

  • In pictures: Trump boards Air Force One
  • Trump says he 'settled a lot of different problems' with Xi
  • Trump begins final set of meetings with Xi
  • In pictures: Trump and Xi tour garden in final day of talks
  • Trump talks about Iran and thank Xi in closing remarks
  • Trump says he made 'fantastic trade deals' with China
  • Trump dodges question on China's stance on Iran having nuclear weapon

Trump announces plans to build 'National Garden of American Heroes'

11:20 , Shweta Sharma

While flying back from Beijing aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump announced plans for a “National Garden of American Heroes” to be built in West Potomac Park in Washington, DC.

Trump said the currently “barren” waterfront area along the Potomac River would be transformed into a “world class masterpiece” featuring landscaped grounds and statues of American figures including founding fathers, military leaders, civil rights champions, athletes, artists and entertainers.

 (@realDonaldTrump)

He said the project would form part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, calling it another effort to make Washington “the safest and most beautiful capital in the world”.

The proposal for a garden featuring statues of prominent Americans dates back to Trump’s first term in office. Funding for the project was later included in his “One Big Beautiful Bill”.

Two Chinese pandas to arrive in Atlanta

11:17 , Shweta Sharma

Two giant pandas from China, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, are preparing for an 8,000-mile journey from Chengdu to their new home in Atlanta under an agreement announced ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang are being sent to Atlanta under a new 10-year panda conservation and research agreement between China and Zoo Atlanta.

The pandas, who have never met, are expected to travel to the US later this year, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

Before leaving, they will first be moved to another panda base in southern China.

Zoo Atlanta said it was “delighted” to welcome the pair as part of ongoing research and conservation cooperation with China.China, the only country where giant pandas live in the wild, loans the animals overseas as part of so-called “panda diplomacy”.

No clear winner and underwhelming outcomes from Trump-Xi summit, analyst says

11:00 , Shweta Sharma

The summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping was hailed as a high-stakes affair – but appears not to have produced any significant policy breakthroughs or market-moving deals, analysts say.

It's also not clear who the "winner" out of the two is, professor Nick Bisley of Australia’s La Trobe University tells The Independent.

“Indeed, it seems that it has achieved even less than was anticipated. Most observers had low expectations – the summit would be more about optics and atmospherics with a few token agreements about the boeings, soybeans and perhaps the creation of some mechanism to help manage trade frictions – and apart from the announcement about Boeing jets not much seems to have been agreed. Trump has made some vague noise about China buying American oil but there hasn’t been anything confirmed,” he said.

On balance, Xi probably got more out of it than Trump.

“He seems not to have given much ground, he made clear China’s views on Taiwan in a surprisingly forthright manner, and has succeeded in positioning the relationship as on a ‘stabilised’ footing in ways that give the PRC some advantages,” he said, referring to the official name of China.

“The Trump team did not appear to have done enough preparation in comparison to Xi and Trump seemed too willing to play the supporting act in a CCP drama, positioning Xi as the dominant figure in world politics.”

Trump shares CNN report praising China summit

10:59 , Shweta Sharma

Now that Donald Trump is back on Air Force One he has resumed posting on Truth Social.

Trump has shared a screenshot a CNN article praising the outcome of his China trip. The article quoted a Chinese scholar who rated the Trump–Xi summit “9.99 out of 10” and described it as “very successful” and “historical”.

The scholar Victor Gao China had “put its best foot forward” and praised both US officials and business leaders for handling the visit well. He called the summit a “historical moment”.

 (@realDonaldTrump)

Taiwan says no Chinese aircraft activity detected during Trump's visit

10:52 , Shweta Sharma

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it did not detect any Chinese aircraft activity during Donald Trump’s state visit on Thursday.

The ministry said it tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan in the 24 hours ending 0600 local time on Friday.

Chinese military activity around the island has remained relatively low this week. The highest level was recorded on Monday, when Taipei detected five Chinese aircraft and helicopter sorties near the island’s southwestern and eastern areas.

Taiwan publishes daily updates on Chinese military movements around the island, which it views as a potential security threat.

Recap: What happened so far on final day of Trump-Xi summit

10:30 , Shweta Sharma
  • Donald Trump spent the final day of his Beijing visit highlighting what he described as major trade breakthroughs with China, while also discussing Iran, energy security and future US-China ties with Xi Jinping.
  • Seated beside Xi in a decorative red armchair at the opulent Zhongnanhai complex, Trump said, "We've made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries.”
  • He said the discussions covered trade, Iran and “a lot of other things”, and added that the business executives travelling with him were in Beijing to “make deals” and “bring back jobs”.
  • They chatted and strolled outside, with Trump remarking about the beautiful roses and Xi promising to send him seeds for the flowers, before a lunch of lobster balls, Kung Pao scallops and shrimp dumplings.
  • Trump claimed China had agreed to buy US oil and order 200 Boeing jets, alongside deals involving American farm goods, beef and energy exports. He also suggested Xi Jinping was interested in reducing China’s reliance on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
  • On Iran, Trump said he and Xi felt “very similar”, stressing that the US did not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and wanted the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.
  • China's foreign ministry issued a blunt statement outlining its frustration with the Iran war. "Now that the door for dialogue has been opened, then it shouldn't be shut again," it said in a statement Friday, adding that the solution should "take into account the concerns of all parties on the Iran nuclear issue."
  • "Shipping routes should be reopened as soon as possible," the ministry said.

ICYMI: Xi calls summit with Trump 'historic and landmark'

10:00 , Shweta Sharma

Xi Jinping described Donald Trump’s trip as a “historic and landmark” visit and said the two leaders had established “a new positioning” for a “constructive, strategic and stable” US-China relationship.

“President Trump hopes to make America great again, and I am committed to leading the Chinese people toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said, according to a Chinese government readout, adding that both sides should implement the “important consensus” reached during the meetings.

Trump, meanwhile, described the visit as “very successful, world-renowned and unforgettable”, the Chinese readout said. He referred to Xi as “an old friend of mine”, adding: “I have great respect for him.”

Trump also said he looked forward to maintaining “sincere and in-depth communication” with Xi and warmly welcomed the Chinese leader to Washington for a future visit.

All China-issued items 'thrown in bin' before take-off of Air Force One

09:31 , Shweta Sharma

Despite the warm optics and productive talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing, US officials appeared to take no chances over security concerns.

According to pool reporter Emily Goodin, White House staff collected and discarded all items handed out by Chinese officials – including credentials, burner phones and delegation pins – before boarding Air Force One.

They “threw them in a bin” before taking off, Goodin wrote on X.“Nothing from China was allowed on the plane”.

Xi Jinping gives a guided tour of Zhongnanhai Garden

09:30 , Shweta Sharma

Trump asks Xi how often foreign guests visit Zhongnanhai

09:14 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping if foreign guests often visit the Zhongnanhai compound, a heavily guarded complex where the Chinese president lives and works.

"Can I ask the President: with other dignitaries from other countries, presidents or prime ministers, does he bring them here?" Trump asked through translators in a garden.

US President Donald Trump (R) walks with China's President Xi Jinping (C) as he leaves after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing (AFP/Getty)

"Very few," Xi said. "We usually don’t hold diplomatic events here. Even after we started having some, it’s still extremely rare."

"For example, Putin," Xi added. The Russian president has visited Zhongnanhai several times during previous visits to China."

"Good. I like it," Trump said.

Trump says Xi is ‘very tall’ and out of ‘central casting’ because people in China ‘tend to be a little bit shorter’

09:00 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump has lavished praise on president Xi Jinping, saying that he is “straight out of central casting” for a leader of China and is “very tall – especially for this country.”

“If you went to Hollywood and you look for a leader of China, to play a role in a movie, he’s central casting… you couldn't find a guy like him,” President Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity in an interview which aired Thursday night.

“Even his physical features, you know, he's tall, very tall, and especially for this country, because they tend to be a little bit shorter… but no, if you went to Hollywood, you wouldn't find that, you're not going to find a guy to play the role who's good.”

Image from: Trump-China visit live: US president claims he and Xi are agreed on how Iran conflict should end

Trump says Xi is ‘very tall’ and Chinese people ‘tend to be a little bit shorter’

Trump says US and China are agreed on how Iran conflict should end

08:57 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump said the US and China were broadly aligned on wanting the conflict involving Iran to end, adding: “We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.”

Speaking after talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump also called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open amid disruptions linked to the conflict.

"We did discuss Iran. We feel very similar about [how] we want it to end. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the strait open," he said.

“We want them to get it ended because it’s a crazy thing there,” Trump said. “It’s no good, it can’t happen.”

China reiterated a call to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a bilateral meeting with the US and called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran war.

“Now that the door for dialogue has been opened, then it shouldn't be shut again," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday, adding that the solution should "take into account the concerns of all parties on the Iran nuclear issue."

Chinese stocks fall

08:50 , Shweta Sharma

Chinese stocks slid on Friday as the summit between the leaders of the world's top two economies produced few deals to excite investors.

The Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.02% to close at 4,135 on Friday.

The Chinese yuan pulled back from a more than three-year high against the US dollar amid broader dollar strength, with the onshore yuan last trading at 6.7953 per dollar. Its offshore counterpart slipped 0.14% to 6.7961.

The summit's main achievement may be maintaining a fragile trade truce struck when the leaders last met in October and Trump suspended triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods while Xi backed away from choking off supplies of vital rare earths.

It has not yet been decided whether to extend the truce beyond its expiry later this year, US trade representative Jamieson Greer, accompanying Trump, told Bloomberg TV on Friday.

Such an extension would be "the most basic benchmark" for the summit, said the Brookings' Kim.

"For the market, the summit can be strategically reassuring while underwhelming in substance," said Chim Lee, senior China analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Boeing shares are down after underwhelming deal

08:34 , Shweta Sharma

Shares in Boeing fell more than 4% after Donald Trump said China had agreed to order 200 Boeing jets during his summit with Xi Jinping – far below market expectations of around 500 aircraft.

While US officials announced agreements on farm goods and progress on future trade mechanisms, investors appeared underwhelmed by the lack of detailed deals or breakthroughs on issues such as advanced AI chip exports to China.

Analysts said the summit may have been strategically reassuring, but light on substance for markets, with the biggest outcome potentially being the preservation of a fragile US-China trade truce.

Taiwan thanks US for 'continued support'

08:30 , Shweta Sharma

Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs Lin Chia-lung thanked the US on Friday for the support expressed by secretary of state Marco Rubio the previous day.

Lin thanked the US for "its continued support and valuing of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Rubio told NBC News on Thursday that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged and it would be a "terrible mistake" for China to take Taiwan by force.

The US is Taiwan's biggest unofficial supporter and main supplier of arms for the island's defence.

"As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities," Lin said.

It comes after Xi told Trump that Taiwan remained the “most important issue” in US-China relations, adding that mishandling it could push ties into a “highly dangerous situation”.

Video: Trump departs China with his signature fist pump

08:12 , Shweta Sharma

Trump raises release of Jimmy Lai in talks with Xi

08:11 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump raised the case of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai during his meetings with Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to US secretary of state Marco Rubio.

Rubio said the US wanted to see Lai released and would be open to “any arrangement” that secured his freedom.

"The president always raises that case and a couple others, and obviously we’ll hope to get a ‌positive response from that," Rubio told NBC News.

(FILES) In this photo taken on June 16, 2020, Hong kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, 72, poses during an interview with AFP at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong. Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai will not appeal his national security conviction that saw him sentenced to 20 years behind bars last month, his legal team said on March 6, 2026, without providing a reason. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP via Getty Images) (AFP/Getty)

"We would like to see him released. We would be open to any arrangement that would work for them, as long as he's given his freedom," said Rubio.

Lai was the publisher of Apple Daily, a tabloid that was critical of Chinese and Hong Kong government authorities.

Hong Kong affairs ​are an internal matter for China, the foreign ministry has said previously when asked about Lai.

In pictures: Trump bids goodbye to Xi

08:00 , Shweta Sharma

Trump has now boarded Air Force One to leave for Washington. These are the pictures from the Zhongnanhai Garden before Trump shook hands with Xi for one final time before leaving.

Trump and Xi shake hands (Getty)Trump gesturing towards Xi as he speaks to reporters (Getty)Trump leaves Zhongnanhai Garden (AFP/Getty) (Reuters)Trump bids goodbye to Xi (AP)

Trump flies out of Beijing

07:52 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump has wrapped up his whirlwind visit to China and is now heading back to Washington after departing Beijing Capital International Airport aboard Air Force One.

Trump’s motorcade arrived at the airport to a red-carpet farewell and military honour guard, with Chinese dignitaries present to see him off.

A group of children dressed in blue and white waved flags and chanted “farewell, farewell, a warm farewell” as the US president boarded the aircraft.

Trump waved before Air Force One took off from Beijing at around 2.14pm local time.

 (AP)

Xi calls summit with Trump 'historic and landmark'

07:47 , Shweta Sharma

Xi Jinping described Donald Trump’s trip as a “historic and landmark” visit and said the two leaders had established “a new positioning” for a “constructive, strategic and stable” US-China relationship.

“President Trump hopes to make America great again, and I am committed to leading the Chinese people toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said, according to a Chinese government readout, adding that both sides should implement the “important consensus” reached during the meetings.

Trump, meanwhile, described the visit as “very successful, world-renowned and unforgettable”, the Chinese readout said. He referred to Xi as “an old friend of mine”, adding: “I have great respect for him.”

Trump also said he looked forward to maintaining “sincere and in-depth communication” with Xi and warmly welcomed the Chinese leader to Washington for a future visit.

In pictures: Trump boards Air Force One

07:33 , Shweta Sharma

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before his departure from Beijing Capital Airport (AFP/Getty) (Getty)US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before his departure from Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on (AFP/Getty)US president Donald Trump shakes hands with Ambassador to China David Perdue as he prepares to board Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport (Getty)

Trump talks to Chinese foreign minister before boarding plane

07:25 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump was seen speaking with China’s foreign minister on the tarmac in Beijing shortly before boarding Air Force One, bringing his state visit to China to an end.

The US president is now departing Beijing following two days of talks and meetings with Xi Jinping.

Trump leaves for airport after lunch with Xi

07:03 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump is now travelling to Beijing Capital International Airport following a closed-door lunch with Xi Jinping, bringing his state visit to China to a close.

The two leaders were pictured shaking hands for one final time as the trip ended.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the the Zhongnanhai Garden (Getty)

Recap: What happened so far on final day of Trump-Xi summit

06:59 , Shweta Sharma
  • Donald Trump spent the final day of his Beijing visit highlighting what he described as major trade breakthroughs with China, while also discussing Iran, energy security and future US-China ties with Xi Jinping.
  • Seated beside Xi in a decorative red armchair at the opulent Zhongnanhai complex, Trump said, "We've made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries.”
  • He said the discussions covered trade, Iran and “a lot of other things”, and added that the business executives travelling with him were in Beijing to “make deals” and “bring back jobs”.
  • They chatted and strolled outside, with Trump remarking about the beautiful roses and Xi promising to send him seeds for the flowers, before a lunch of lobster balls, Kung Pao scallops and shrimp dumplings.
  • Trump claimed China had agreed to buy US oil and order 200 Boeing jets, alongside deals involving American farm goods, beef and energy exports. He also suggested Xi Jinping was interested in reducing China’s reliance on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
  • On Iran, Trump said he and Xi felt “very similar”, stressing that the US did not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and wanted the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.
  • China's foreign ministry issued a blunt statement outlining its frustration with the Iran war. "Now that the door for dialogue has been opened, then it shouldn't be shut again," it said in a statement Friday, adding that the solution should "take into account the concerns of all parties on the Iran nuclear issue."
  • "Shipping routes should be reopened as soon as possible," the ministry said.

Trump and Xi dine on stir-fried lobster balls and pan-seared beef fillet

06:51 , Shweta Sharma

While those outside their closed lunch chowed down on McDonalds, the menu for Trump and Xi was far more formal.

The two leaders had minced codfish in seafood soup, crispy and stir-fried lobster balls and pan-seared beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, according to the White House.

They also ate kung pao chicken and scallops, braised seasonal greens, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and beans, as well as stewed beef in a bun and steamed pork and shrimp dumplings.

Dessert was chocolate brownies and fruits and ice cream. Coffee and tea also was served.

After lunch, Trump is not expected to make any more public appearances before heading to the airport to fly back to Washington.

Xi highlights centuries-old trees in Zhongnanhai garden tour

06:47 , Shweta Sharma

Before their closed-door lunch, Xi gave Trump a tour of Zhongnanhai, the former imperial gardens and now the seat of power.

"Zhongnanhai is where the CPC Central Committee and the State Council work, and it is also where I work and live," Xi said.

"After the founding of New China, Chinese leaders including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and others all lived here."

In the highly manicured garden, the two men walked with their interpreters as they admired the greenery.

 (Getty)

"All these trees are 200 to 300 years old. There's a big one that's about 400 years old," Xi said as he pointed out specific trees to Trump, who expressed his admiration.

"There's even one that's 1,000 years old. It's somewhere else," Xi said.

Xi said he invited Trump to the quarters in response to the hospitality Trump showed by inviting him to Mar-A-Lago in 2017.

Xi and Trump reach a 'series of new common understandings'

06:43 , Shweta Sharma

A foreign ministry spokesperson said Xi Jinping and Donald Trump held “in-depth” discussions on key bilateral and global issues during Trump’s visit to China and reached a “series of new common understandings”, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua News Agency.

The spokesperson said the two leaders agreed on a new vision for a “constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability” aimed at guiding ties over the coming years and promoting “steady, sound and sustainable” relations.

They also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on regional and international issues, the spokesperson said.

He added that the meetings had deepened mutual trust, expanded practical cooperation and brought “stability and certainty” to the world.

While Trump sits down for tea with Xi, Christians in China face an unprecedented crackdown

06:07 , Alisha Rahman Sarkar

Pastor Jin Mingri was eating dinner at his apartment in Beihai in China’s Guangxi province on 10 October when at least 20 plainclothes police officers barged in and arrested him.

The founder of the Zion Church was among dozens of Christians who were arrested that month in a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised churches.

Pastor Sun Cong was at a retreat for older church members on the outskirts of Beijing when he was arrested. And another pastor was detained at an airport in Shanghai. Taken together, the wave of arrests was quickly condemned by activists as one of the worst ever crackdowns on Christians in China.

Image from: Trump-China visit live: US president claims he and Xi are agreed on how Iran conflict should end

While Trump sits down for tea with Xi, Christians in China face renewed crackdown

Trump and Xi begin their lunch

05:54 , Shweta Sharma

Trump and Xi have begun their working lunch, the final event on the schedule before the US president returns to Washington.

In pictures: Trump and Xi tour garden in final day of talks

05:38 , Shweta Sharma

The final day of talks is still underway in China as Xi and Trump met at the Zhongnanhai compound.

Xi guides Trump during a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing (AFP/Getty)Trump and Xi at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on (AFP/Getty)Trump reacts with a thumbs up as two leaders pose for a picture (AFP/Getty)Trump and Xi sit down for talks (Getty)

Trump says Xi is 'very tall’ and out of 'central casting' because Chinese 'tend to be a little bit shorter'

05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Xi says US and China have reached a 'new bilateral relationship'

05:29 , Shweta Sharma

Xi Jinping said he and Donald Trump had reached a “new bilateral relationship” that was “constructive” during the joint address.

He said they have reached a “milestone” in US-China ties.

Trump talks about Iran and thank Xi in closing remarks

05:19 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump said they talked about trade, Iran, and "a lot of other things" as the two leaders spoke in front of the press to deliver their closing remarks.

Trump said they "settled a lot of different problems that other people woudn't have been able to solve".Speaking about Iran, he said "we don't want them to have nuclear weapons", and "we want the strait open".

: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden (Getty)

He also extended gratitude to Xi, saying it's an honour to be in Beijing.

He said the two leaders would meet again on 24 September, when Xi is due to visit the US, adding that he hoped Xi would be as impressed by America then as Trump said he was by China during this visit.

Trump and Xi deliver closing remarks

05:13 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were seated alongside senior officials from both sides, including Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, US ambassador to China David Perdue and US trade representative Jamieson Greer.

Trump said the two countries had made “fantastic trade deals”.

Xi was accompanied by several top Chinese officials, including his chief of staff Cai Qi, foreign minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier He Lifeng and vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu.

Xi and Trump spoke privately for 10 minutes

05:10 , Shweta Sharma

Trump and Xi reportedly spoke privately for about 10 minutes away from reporters before continuing their walk through the Zhongnanhai compound.

“These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen,” Trump remarked as they walked together.

When asked if he was enjoying the visit, the US president responded with a thumbs up before a Chinese official told reporters: “No questions.”

The two leaders then continued through a covered passageway decorated with painted archways depicting birds and traditional Chinese mountain landscapes.

Xi, speaking through a translator, explained the history of the compound and said he would send Trump rose seeds.

Here's what we know about Zhongnanhai

05:04 , Shweta Sharma

Zhongnanhai is a heavily guarded leadership compound in central Beijing, located just west of the Forbidden City. It has served as the main headquarters and residence complex for China’s top Communist Party and state leaders, including Xi Jinping, since 1949.

The compound is known for its quiet lakes, classical Chinese gardens, tree-lined pathways and traditional pavilions, giving it the appearance of an imperial-style retreat rather than a government office complex.

Much of it dates back to former imperial gardens used during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing (Xinhua via Reuters)

Its name comes from two connected lakes, Zhonghai and Nanhai.

Unlike the grand public spaces of the Great Hall of the People, Zhongnanhai is highly secretive and rarely seen by outsiders. Meetings held there are often meant to signal a more personal or informal level of diplomacy.

Richard Nixon met Mao Zedong there in 1972 and most recently, US former president Barack Obama met Xi at Yingtai, an imperial-era site inside Zhongnanhai, during the 2014 summit.

Then Chinese communist party leader Mao Zedong, left, and then US president Richard Nixon shake hands as they meet in Beijing on Feb. 21, 1972. (1972 AP)

More pictures from the state banquet

05:00 , Shweta Sharma

US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended a state banquet in Beijing on Thursday after a day of high-stakes talks.

Both leaders struck a warm and stable tone in their toasts. Xi called the US-China relationship the world’s “most consequential” and warned both sides must “never mess it up”.

Guests were served dishes including Beijing roast duck, crispy beef ribs, slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce and pan-fried pork buns.

 (AFP/Getty)U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Chinese Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, departs a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People (Getty) (AFP/Getty)CEO of Nvidia Jensen Huang and Meta President and Vice Chairman Dina Powell McCormick depart a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People (Getty)

Elon Musk viajó a China a pesar de que un juez le advirtió que podría ser llamado a comparecer nuevamente en un juicio relacionado con OpenAI. (Getty)

Trump says he made 'fantastic trade deals' with China

04:52 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump said he had made “fantastic trade deals” with China during his visit to Beijing.

Trump previously said China is "going to be buying a lot of our farm product", such as soybeans.

He said the trade talks went "better than last time", adding they were "much bigger" than the 36 deals they signed the last time.

He also claimed China agreed to buy more American oil.

New pictures of Trump and Xi from Zhongnanhai

04:44 , Shweta Sharma

Xi Jinping appears to be showing Donald Trump around the Zhongnanhai compound as the two leaders begin their final round of talks.

Only a small number of reporters were allowed into the complex, according to a White House pool report.

The report also said roads were cleared for the presidential motorcade as onlookers filmed its passage on their phones.

 (Getty)US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping tour the Zhongnanhai leadership compound (Getty)US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping tour the Zhongnanhai leadership compound (Getty)

Trump dodges question on China's stance on Iran having nuclear weapon

04:29 , Mike Bedigan

Trump begins final set of meetings with Xi

04:11 , Shweta Sharma

Trump and Xi shook hands and posed for pictures as the two leaders arrived at Zhongnanhai to participate in a bilateral tea and a working lunch.

The two leaders will remain in Zhongnanhai for the next three hours or more.

US President Donald Trump speaks as he is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing (Reuters)US President Donald Trump (L) is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai Garden (AFP/Getty)

Trump and Xi arrive in Zhongnanhai

04:05 , Shweta Sharma

 (AFP/Getty)

China urges fast resolution of Iran war

04:04 , Shweta Sharma

On Iran, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters the conflict “should never have happened” and said there was “no reason for it to continue”.

"Finding a solution sooner is beneficial to both the US and Iran, as well as to countries in the region and the world as a whole," the spokesperson said.

China says Trump and Xi reached consensus during talks

04:02 , Shweta Sharma

US president Donald Trump and Chinese ⁠leader Xi Jinping reached "a series of new consensuses" ⁠during ​their ⁠talks in Beijing, ⁠China's foreign ministry said ​on ⁠Friday, without ‌elaborating.

The two leaders also ‌agreed to properly ‌handle each other's concerns ⁠and strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues, the ministry said, ‌adding that the ​talks "fostered ‌mutual understanding ⁠and deepened mutual ⁠trust."

Rubio says US position on Taiwan is 'unchanged'

04:00 , Mike Bedigan

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged since the bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

“U.S. policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today and as of the meeting that we had here today,” Rubio told NBC News.

“It was raised; they always raise it on their side, we always make clear our position, and we move on."

The way the U.S. views Taiwan under the “One China” policy recognizes the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China, while still allowing for informal U.S. relations with the self-governing island.

Earlier in the visit, a Chinese readout of Trump and Xi’s closed-door talks noted that Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue of Taiwan could lead to “clashes or even conflict”, describing it as “an extremely dangerous situation.”

China says Trump and Xi reached consensus during talks

03:52 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping reached a “series of new consensuses” during their talks in Beijing, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

Schedule for Trump's final day in Beijing

03:49 , Shweta Sharma

The final day of Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing will begin at 11.30am (0330 GMT), when he and Chinese president Xi Jinping are scheduled to pose for a friendship photo before holding tea talks together.

The two leaders will then attend a lunch at 12.15pm.

Trump is expected to depart Beijing for Washington later on Friday.

Trump's next stop is Zhongnanhai

03:42 , Shweta Sharma

The US media accompanying Donald Trump has now arrived at Zhongnanhai, where the US leader is set to hold his final day of meetings with Xi Jinping.

Trump and Xi are due to meet for a tea session and lunch in the compound where the top leadership of the Communist Party resides.

 (Getty)

Senator voices concern over Trump changing stance on Taiwan

03:30 , Mike Bedigan

Senator Elissa Slotkin says there are “a lot of people who are worried” that Donald Trump may change the U.S. stance on Taiwan in order to appease or make a deal with China.

Concerns have been raised, the Michigan Democrat said, that Trump would “basically give China what they want, which is permission to take over Taiwan, which China says is part of their country, and we don't agree with,” Slotkin told CBS News Thursday night.

Earlier in the visit, a Chinese readout of Trump and Xi’s closed-door talks noted that Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue of Taiwan could lead to “clashes or even conflict”, describing it as “an extremely dangerous situation.”

Slotkin continued: “I think the Chinese putting out a statement saying ‘this is our priority, this is our biggest issue, and don't mess with us on this issue,’ was certainly a shot across the bow.”

“My hope is that the president doesn't give up on that, that would be a huge shift.”