Selfies and symbolism: behind the scenes from Xi’s summit with Trump and Putin

The South China Morning Post highlights key moments from President Xi Jinping's summit meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in May. The article explores the personal rapport built between Xi and Putin through shared rituals, and the symbolic settings used for Xi's meetings with Trump, such as the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. It also notes details like US Secretary of State Marco Rubio admiring a Beijing hall's ceiling, Putin's familiarity with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and the seating arrangement of Lens Technology chairwoman Zhou Qunfei between Apple's Tim Cook and Tesla's Elon Musk at a state banquet. The report also touches on public interest in Elon Musk's son's tiger-themed bag and a past encounter between Putin and a Chinese boy, as well as fascination with Trump's Air Force One.

US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for a two-day summit on Thursday and Friday. The visit, which began with Trump's arrival on Wednesday evening, included a formal welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, a gun salute, and a tour of the Temple of Heaven. Trump was accompanied by several American tech executives, including Elon Musk of Tesla and Jensen Huang of Nvidia, as well as his son Eric. The summit aimed to foster discussions between the two leaders on various issues during their time in the Chinese capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, following U.S. President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlights China's growing diplomatic leverage. Analysts suggest the lack of significant progress in U.S.-China talks emboldens Putin, as China appears committed to its relationship with Russia. For China, hosting these back-to-back visits is seen as a diplomatic maneuver to position itself as a central player. While no major breakthroughs are anticipated, the meeting is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy and military technology. The article suggests Putin may seek increased military support from China, with analysts noting China holds considerable influence in the relationship. China is also positioning itself as a neutral mediator in a fragmented global order.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for a two-day state visit, highlighting strong trust and strategic cooperation between the two nations. The summit, occurring shortly after US President Donald Trump's visit, underscored China's ability to manage relations with major powers. Both countries expressed concerns about the US Golden Dome missile defense system, calling it a threat to stability. Energy cooperation was a key agenda item, with Putin pushing for a new deal. Experts suggest that China-Russia scientific and technological collaboration could counter US isolation and help normalize the international science community amidst geopolitical tensions. Putin stayed at the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a location he has frequented.

China recently hosted back-to-back state visits by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, with outwardly similar grand receptions. However, China subtly highlighted differences, welcoming Putin with a higher-ranking official than Trump, signaling Moscow as a trusted partner in a non-Western order. Russian officials downplayed comparisons, but state media portrayed Putin as an ally while Trump was seen as a rival. Both visits yielded modest concrete results, though Russia's economic struggles increase its reliance on China. Xi Jinping benefited from projecting himself as a global statesman, showcasing China's ability to engage with both rival powers and a dependent Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China for talks with President Xi Jinping, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of a treaty formalizing their ties. This meeting occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing. Analysts suggest that the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy has pushed Russia and China closer together, especially amidst the war in Ukraine and global instability. China has become an economic lifeline for Russia, with bilateral trade significantly increasing, and Russia relies on China for technology and energy exports. The article highlights the deepening partnership between the two nations, driven by shared geopolitical challenges and a desire to advance global development.

President Donald Trump is on a state visit to China, accompanied by over a dozen US business leaders, including Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Tim Cook of Apple, and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs. The purpose of their presence is to discuss trade, technology, and artificial intelligence with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The executives aim to expand their businesses in China and expressed their high valuation of the Chinese market. This visit occurs amidst an ongoing trade war between the US and China, with discussions planned on extending a tariff truce and rare earth metal exports. The CEOs' participation highlights Trump's objective to secure business deals between the two major economies.

Ahead of President Trump's visit to Beijing, Al Jazeera analyzed the economic and military standing of the US and China. The report highlights China's significant rise as a global economic power, surpassing the US in exports. In 2024, China was the world's largest exporter with $3.59 trillion in sales, while the US ranked second with $1.9 trillion. This shift contrasts with 25 years ago when the US dominated global trade. The article uses maps and charts to compare the two nations across economics, military, resources, and technology, noting China's emergence as the "factory of the world" and its increasing influence.

President Donald Trump is leading a delegation of seventeen American CEOs to China this week, a smaller group than in 2017. These executives, representing industries impacted by the US-China trade war, are seeking deeper engagement with China. Analysts suggest these companies, including those in sectors like agriculture and technology, aim to avoid becoming casualties of geopolitical tensions. The CEOs are reportedly looking for opportunities to secure business wins amidst the unpredictable trade landscape. This visit underscores the administration's efforts to navigate complex trade relations through business diplomacy.