A state banquet is underway in Beijing. It kicked off with Xi saying China and the US should be partners, not rivals, and US President Donald Trump describing Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend.
The event caps off the first day of the two-day summit between the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
Earlier, Xi told Trump that trade talks were making progress, but cautioned that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path and even lead to conflict.
Xi's remarks on Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by Beijing, came in a closed-door meeting that ran more than two hours, China's foreign ministry said.
They represented a stark – if not unprecedented – warning during a pomp-filled occasion that otherwise appeared friendly and relaxed.
The US summary of the talks made no mention of Taiwan.
Instead, it focused on the leaders' shared desire to reopen the key waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed due to the Iran war, and Xi's apparent interest in buying American oil to reduce China's dependence on Middle East supplies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump review the honour guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Donald Trump inspects an honour guard during a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while he stands alongside US Ambassador to China David Perdue, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Jensen Huang, Founder, President and CEO of Nvidia, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Apple CEO Tim Cook during the welcoming ceremony for Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump have a photo taken in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests while visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. PHOTO: XINHUA
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. PHOTO: XINHUA
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump shake hands at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a state banquet with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. REUTERS
