His two-day official visit to . The final day included one-on-one talks with Xi Jinping at the Zhongnanhai Government Complex, as well as an official working lunch.
After the meetings, Mr Trump spoke of “resolving a number of complex issues”, describing the relationship between the two leaders as “strong” and announcing that Xi would visit the US in September.
China’s state media carried the full statement from Xi Jinping, who described the visit as “a historic and symbolic visit,” saying: “Together, we established a new position for a constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States, reached important consensus on maintaining stability in economic and trade relations, expanding practical cooperation in various fields and appropriately addressing each other’s concerns, and agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues.
This also shows once again that China and the United States are willing to achieve peaceful coexistence, mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual respect, and find the right way to coexist. China and the United States can promote their development and revitalization by strengthening their cooperation. The two sides must implement the important consensus we reached, build on the current hard-won positive momentum, keep the course steady, remove interference and promote the steady development of bilateral relations.”
The two sides for Iran
Escalating tensions in the Middle East and the security of international shipping lanes during the summit between the leaders of the US and China. The two sides expressed their deep concern over the ongoing instability in the region, focusing on the need to restore order in the Strait of Hormuz and deter Iran’s nuclear program.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, through an official press release, underlined the need for an immediate diplomatic settlement. The announcement emphasizes, among other things, that: “the sea lanes must be opened as soon as possible, as requested by the international community (…) and a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire implemented as soon as possible. This war, which should never have happened, has no reason to continue.”
For his part, US President Donald Trump referred extensively to the discussions he had with the Chinese leadership on this issue, highlighting the convergence of views between Washington and Beijing.
“We talked about Iran. We have a very similar view on Iran, we want it to end and we don’t want them to have nuclear weapons. We want the Straits open. Now we close it. They closed it and we closed it from them. But we want the Straits open and we want them to end it, because it’s crazy. They are a little crazy and that is not good. It can’t be done. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. But we also discussed many other issues and I think we agree to a large extent.” he said characteristically.
The diplomacy of roses in Zhongnanhai
During the two leaders’ walk through the former imperial compound Zhongnanhai — a secluded site of lakes and pavilions where the Chinese leadership resides — the US president expressed his admiration for the complex’s flowers, calling them “the most beautiful anyone has ever seen.”
Responding to the comment, President Xi Jinping formally offered to send Mr. Trump seeds from the roses in question. The move takes on particular significance as Mr Trump, after being elected to his second term, has undertaken a radical renovation of the White House Rose Garden, replacing the traditional lawn with a stone terrace and tables with umbrellas.
The official dinner menu
After the discussion between the two leaders, lunch was served. According to a White House official, the menu included chopped cod in seafood soup, crispy and sautéed lobster balls, pan-seared beef tenderloin stuffed with morels, kung pao chicken with scallops, braised seasonal vegetables, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and beans, beef stew in a bun, as well as steamed pork and shrimp dumplings.
And for dessert: chocolate brownies, fruit and ice cream, as well as coffee and tea.
