Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted United States President Donald Trump at Zhongnanhai, the heavily guarded seat of China’s Communist leadership in Beijing, in a symbolic display of warming ties between the two global powers.
The rare tour marked the closing event of Trump’s two-day visit to China, which featured elaborate state pageantry and conciliatory rhetoric amid lingering tensions over trade and the Iran conflict.
Xi personally led Trump through the historic compound, widely regarded as China’s equivalent of the White House, where senior Communist Party leaders live and work. During the visit, both leaders exchanged warm remarks while admiring the compound’s gardens, lakes and centuries-old trees.
Xi described the meeting as the beginning of a “new bilateral relationship” and promised to send Trump seeds from Chinese roses they admired during the stroll.
“I love that, it’s great,” Trump responded.
Located near Tiananmen Square, Zhongnanhai has served as the seat of China’s Communist government since 1949 and is rarely opened to foreign dignitaries. Xi reportedly told Trump that visits by world leaders to the compound were “extremely rare,” although Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had previously visited.
Several former US presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Richard Nixon, also toured the compound during past diplomatic engagements.
Speaking in a pre-recorded interview aired by Fox News, Trump described Xi as “warm” and “very smart,” while claiming the Chinese leader had pledged not to provide military weapons to Iran.
Trump also said Xi expressed interest in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, given China’s dependence on Iranian oil imports.
Although Chinese authorities did not publicly confirm Trump’s claims, Beijing’s foreign ministry said China had continued efforts behind the scenes to encourage diplomatic dialogue over the Iran conflict.
Trade discussions also featured prominently during the visit. Trump claimed China agreed to purchase US oil, Boeing aircraft and agricultural products, although China later avoided directly confirming those commitments.
Despite the absence of major policy announcements, analysts said the summit reflected efforts by both countries to stabilise relations at a time of shifting global alliances and economic uncertainty.
Trump, who invited Xi to visit the White House in September for a follow-up summit, said he left Beijing impressed by China’s development and leadership.
“You’re gonna walk away hopefully very impressed, like I’m very impressed with China,” Trump said after the tour.
Erizia Rubyjeana
