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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump arrive for a White House state dinner. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi at White House, trade truce extension, Golden Week travel

This week: Xi Jinping and Donald Trump discuss AI and Taiwan in summit, the trade-war truce is prolonged until January, and China cracks down on fentanyl. Next week: Manufacturing PMI may show third month of contraction, RoboTechnik headlines four Hong Kong IPO debuts, holidaymakers take advantage of National Day golden week, and more.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why is the National Archives the last stop on Xi and Trump’s summit itinerary?

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump gives Xi a tour of his White House building projects, including ballroom

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi’s security chief among cohort of rising officials at White House banquet

Zhou Hongxu is one of a group of officials in their 50s and early 60s at the front line of China’s top diplomatic events.

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Zhou Hongxu was one of several relatively young senior Chinese officials who attended the White House banquet on Thursday night. Photo: AP
Zhou Hongxu was one of several relatively young senior Chinese officials who attended the White House banquet on Thursday night. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

AI war, Taiwan and translation: SCMP answers your questions from Xi-Trump summit

China Editor Wendy Wu tackles reader queries in this live question-and-answer session, after the two leaders’ closely watched summit.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

From wine to ping-pong, Trump and Xi’s state dinner leans on historic symbolism

Trump invokes 1868 Burlingame Treaty to highlight deep roots of relationship; Xi speaks of WWII ‘friendship forged in blood and fire’.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Pitch perfect cultural diplomacy wins heart of China’s first lady Peng Liyuan

Young singers’ rendition of beloved folk song ‘Jasmine Flower’ evokes warm reaction from the renowned soprano during Smithsonian visit.

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First lady of China Peng Liyuan and her US counterpart Melania Trump react as choir students perform at the Smithsonian’s National Museum Of Asian Art. Photo: Reuters
First lady of China Peng Liyuan and her US counterpart Melania Trump react as choir students perform at the Smithsonian’s National Museum Of Asian Art. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump autopen joke at Biden’s expense draws rare laugh from China’s Xi

Trump autopen remark during White House tour prompts the Chinese leader to respond audibly to his host’s mockery of the former president.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Ivanka Trump takes front-row seat to welcome Xi in dress by Chinese designer

US president’s eldest daughter had a prominent position at the ceremony and wore a striking blue outfit from Beijing-based couturier.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

From ping-pong to pickleball: China’s unofficial approach to diplomatic messaging

Beijing has found various ways beyond direct government contact to send signals to Washington.

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Jack Lund Schofield Middle School’s Principal Terri Knepp (left), Yang Wanming (third left), president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Flying Tigers veteran Harry Moyer (second right) and Zhang Jianmin, Chinese consul general in San Francisco (right), visit the school in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2024. Photo: Xinhua
2026 Xi-Trump summits

How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White House

With culinary diplomacy on the menu and tech titans at the table, Xi spoke of ‘a new historical juncture’ for ties and Trump talked up trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sit together during a state dinner at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sit together during a state dinner at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Culinary diplomacy on the menu for Xi and Trump at the White House

Evening features ‘American ingredients with subtle Chinese influence’, entertainment from military bands and plenty of red linen and flowers.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit day 2: here’s everything you missed overnight

From Peng Liyuan’s fashion soft power to Chinese CEOs flying in, here’s what you missed overnight about Xi’s state visit to Washington.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Pat on the back? Xi and Trump’s body language speaks volumes

From firm handshakes and arm touches to bows and laughs, an expert decodes the gestures as the two leaders meet in Washington.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold bilateral talks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Inside Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan’s visit to the Smithsonian’s Peacock Room

The celebrated museum’s Chinese art collection and longstanding ties with China made it a fitting stop for first ladies’ 45-minute tour.

US first lady Melania Trump and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
US first lady Melania Trump and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | What Xi’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in an altered America

The personal thread may be intact, but the US agricultural partnership that once gave it weight is not.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

B-2 Spirit, AI cooperation, no US-China conflict: key Xi-Trump takeaways so far

In morning remarks of state visit’s second day, US president and Chinese leader seek to project image of stability between the two sides.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Beyond the Rose Garden and the military review, Trump and Xi get down to business

The two leaders have a host of hard issues – from AI to trade tariffs – to confront away from the cameras.

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US President Donald Trump (centre right) and first lady Melania Trump (right) greet Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre left) and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AP
US President Donald Trump (centre right) and first lady Melania Trump (right) greet Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre left) and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi talks up US friendship ‘forged in blood’ at state dinner – as it happened

Following an unprecedented reception upon landing, formal proceedings – including talks – between the two leaders took place today.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Chinese CEOs fly to US on own, await invites to Trump’s state dinner for Xi

Sources say executives did not fly with Xi’s official party or aboard his aircraft, unlike Trump’s CEO-heavy entourage for May China visit.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi’s US welcome highlights lack of reception for Takaichi

Online comparisons of the two leaders’ arrivals in the US this week have raised questions over how Washington treats its Tokyo ally.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves before leaving Tokyo’s Haneda Airport aboard a government plane on September 21, on her way to the UN General Assembly in New York. Photo: Kyodo
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Red carpet for Xi, Trump’s US$5m helipad: US trip day 1 highlights

From first ladies Peng, Melania renewing acquaintance to helicopter that Xi likely won’t board, some highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

US military personnel adjust the red carpet at the foot of the stairs to the Air China plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP
US military personnel adjust the red carpet at the foot of the stairs to the Air China plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US tenor Christopher Macchio booked for Xi-Trump state dinner performance

The vocalist has been a feature at a series of the president’s events, most recently at the Republican Midterm Convention.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania Trump

Video of Chinese and US first ladies goes viral as education experts debate the importance of English for students.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Summits for all diplomatic seasons: how the US has set the stage for Xi Jinping

From informal walk-and-talks to a state dinner, Chinese leader’s past meetings reveal the roles of personal rapport and official diplomacy.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and then US president Barack Obama chat as they take a walk at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California, on June 8, 2013. Photo: AFP
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