Punjab Newsline | Beijing
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing on a two-day official visit to China, marking a significant moment in US–China relations. However, what immediately drew global attention was the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the airport reception.
Instead of Xi Jinping, the US president and his delegation were received at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. The reception also included the US Ambassador to China David Perdue, China’s Ambassador to the US Xie Feng, and senior Chinese Foreign Ministry official Ma Zhaoxu.
According to Chinese state media, a ceremonial welcome was organized at the Beijing airport, where around 300 uniformed youth participants and a band were deployed to greet the visiting delegation.
Unlike previous foreign visits where heads of state are typically received by their counterparts, Xi Jinping’s absence is being widely interpreted as a subtle diplomatic signal amid ongoing strategic and economic tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The US delegation also includes prominent business leaders such as Elon Musk, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook, and senior executives from Boeing, along with nearly 17 major American corporate leaders. However, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is not part of the delegation.
During the visit, discussions are expected to focus heavily on trade and large-scale commercial agreements. Reports suggest that deals worth over $90 billion (around ₹9 lakh crore) could be finalized, including a potential historic aircraft purchase agreement. China may reportedly consider ordering 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and multiple Boeing 777X wide-body jets. If finalized, this would become one of the largest aircraft deals in aviation history.
The visit is being closely watched globally, as it comes at a sensitive time in US–China relations, with both sides seeking to balance competition with economic cooperation.
