China-US ‘new joint arrangement’, CEO arrivals: what you missed overnight from Xi-Trump summit

1. B-2 Spirit, AI cooperation, no US-China conflict: key Xi-Trump takeaways so farChinese first lady Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a military review in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty ImagesChinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump delivered remarks at the White House on Thursday morning at the start of the second day of Xi’s closely watched state visit.2. Beyond the Rose Garden and the military review, Trump and Xi get down to businessUS 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: APAfter weeks of frustration, delays and posturing, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump met Thursday, holding talks on several irritants and announcing an ill-defined “new joint arrangement” as they kicked off the most consequential day of their high-stakes summit.3. Chinese CEOs fly to US on own, await invites to Trump’s state dinner for XiA small group of Chinese CEOs holding US visas has arrived in Washington after travelling separately from President Xi Jinping’s official entourage, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.4. Pat on the back? Xi and Trump’s body language speaks volumesArm touches, laughs, and firm handshakes were on display as Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump began their high-stakes summit in Washington, which has so far featured a rare airport welcome, military pageantry and closed-door bilateral talks.5. Inside Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan’s visit to the Smithsonian’s Peacock RoomMelania Trump and China’s first lady Peng Liyuan toured Chinese artworks and a room shaped by Asian design at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington on Thursday, as their husbands held talks at the White House.6. How Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is a symbol of China’s fashion soft powerPeng gestures as she is welcomed alongside Xi at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on September 23, 2026. Photo: ReutersChinese first lady Peng Liyuan has long been a symbol of China’s fashion soft power at high-profile global summits as she accompanies President Xi Jinping.7. Xi’s US welcome highlights lack of reception for TakaichiStarkly contrasting receptions for the Japanese leader and the Chinese president in the United States have sparked debate over Washington’s treatment of Tokyo as an ally.8. What Xi’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in a struggling, altered AmericaIllustration: Lau Ka-kuenOf the countless preparations being made for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s highly anticipated American trip, arguably the first came in the form of a personal letter.9. First lady Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania TrumpUS President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump walk with China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photo: ReutersChina’s first lady Peng Liyuan has sparked online buzz over her English-language exchanges with the US first lady without an interpreter during her visit to Washington with President Xi Jinping this week.Further Reading