US President Donald Trump will travel to China from May 13 to 15 for an official state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit to the country by a sitting US president in nearly nine years.
The announcement was made on Monday by a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, as reported by news agency PTI. Trump's visit comes at a time of heightened global uncertainty, with tensions in West Asia, disruptions in energy supply routes and unresolved trade disputes continuing to affect relations between the world’s two largest economies.
First presidential visit in nearly a decade
According to US principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening for what she described as a "visit of tremendous symbolic significance", per PTI.
The visit will include a formal welcome ceremony and bilateral talks between Trump and Xi on Thursday. Trump is also scheduled to visit the historic Temple of Heaven before attending a state banquet hosted by the Chinese leadership.
Kelly said the two leaders would meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch. She also indicated that the United States plans to host Xi for a reciprocal visit later this year.
Talks amid global tensions
Trump's China trip is taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher.
The visit also comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan and trade-related issues. Expectations are growing that both sides may move closer towards a tariff agreement during the high-profile meetings.
Ahead of Trump's arrival, both countries announced fresh economic talks between senior officials. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is set to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in South Korea on May 12 and 13 for what is expected to be the final round of negotiations before the visit.
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A statement from China's Commerce Ministry said the discussions would be "guided by the important consensus" reached between the two leaders during earlier meetings and phone conversations and would focus on "economic and trade issues of mutual concern".
