Ahead of the Trump–Xi meeting, both nations signaled an openness to dialogue, but analysts say breakthroughs are unlikely.
By Catholics for Catholics
In a historic visit amid tensions over Iran, Taiwan, technology and regional security, U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on May 13 for his first trip to China in nearly nine years.
Prior to the trip, Beijing has repeated familiar rhetoric about “peaceful coexistence” with Washington, in the middle of frictions, according to a story by The Epoch Times.
The Chinese communist regime confirmed on May 10 that Trump will visit China from May 13 through May 15 for a state visit and talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting will mark the first face-to-face summit between the two leaders since October 2025 in South Korea.
On Wednesday, Trump arrived in Beijing without a tarmac greeting from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Still, the apparent snub, according to the New York Post, was actually an “upgrade” from his last welcome in 2017, according to an expert.
“It’s actually quite revealing from a protocol perspective,” said Isabelle Vladoiu, founder of the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.
Wheels down in Beijing!
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 13, 2026
President Donald J. Trump lands for a landmark summit with China, greeted by Vice President Han Zheng during a welcome ceremony. pic.twitter.com/4q2mATZrn4
“Xi Jinping did not personally greet Trump at the airport in 2017 either, but this time Beijing noticeably upgraded the reception by sending Vice President Han Zheng along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, hours before confirming Trump’s visit, released a short video on X titled “Peaceful Coexistence,” calling on China and the United States to “engage in sincerity and good faith.”
The video repeated a phrase employed by Xi and other Chinese officials: “The Earth is too small for China and the U.S. to turn against and confront each other, and the Pacific Ocean is vast enough for both to prosper in their own ways.”
During a 2013 meeting with then-U.S. President Barack Obama, Xi used similar language. Since then, Beijing has repeatedly invoked the slogan in discussions of bilateral relations.
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