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Trump confirms China visit for mid-May
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will travel to China on 14-15 May, marking the first visit by a US leader to the country in nearly a decade. The trip was postponed from its original date in late March due to the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.
Postponement and diplomatic context
Trump delayed the visit after the US and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran last month, resulting in the death of Iran's supreme leader. In retaliation, Iran targeted Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz-a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments-triggering a worldwide fuel crisis.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping had accepted the postponement, citing the need for Trump to remain in the US during the military operations. Leavitt suggested the conflict could de-escalate within four to six weeks, aligning with the rescheduled visit.
Beijing's response and bilateral relations
China has not officially confirmed the dates of Trump's visit, as Beijing typically does not disclose presidential schedules far in advance. However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian acknowledged ongoing communication between the two sides regarding the trip.
"Leader-level diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in bilateral ties," Lin said during a press briefing on Thursday.
The last US presidential visit to China occurred in November 2017, during Trump's first term. The two leaders last met in October 2023 on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea.
Tensions and expectations
Relations between the US and China have been strained by trade disputes, technological competition, and geopolitical rivalries. Trump's upcoming visit is expected to be closely scrutinized for signs of progress or easing tensions.
In the lead-up to the trip, Chinese state media has urged increased engagement between officials from both countries. An editorial in the Global Times on Thursday described the lack of high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges as "abnormal" and detrimental to both nations.
"History has repeatedly shown that both China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," the editorial stated.
Future diplomatic engagements
Trump also announced plans to host Xi in Washington, DC, later this year. According to his post on Truth Social, preparations for both visits are being finalized, though no specific dates have been provided for the Washington meeting.
