Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes US President Donald Trump upon Trump's arrival at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Following a private meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in central Beijing, US President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One on Friday and departed for the US, bringing this historic state visit to a conclusion.

The red carpet laid out at Beijing Capital International Airport, the impeccably straight-standing PLA honor guards, students waving Chinese and American flags, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who came to see Trump off together constituted China's high-level protocol and hospitality — mirroring the grand welcome accorded to the US president upon his arrival. 

During Trump's visit, the two leaders agreed to build a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, reached consensus on major bilateral and global issues, and engaged in warm interactions on multiple occasions. 

The two presidents had in-depth communication and achieved fruitful outcomes in their Beijing meeting. President Xi will pay a state visit to the US in autumn this year at the invitation of Trump, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday when briefing the press about the just-concluded Xi-Trump meeting in Beijing.  

Observers noted that the just-concluded summit not only charts a new course for the development of bilateral ties, but also injects certainty into a complex and volatile international landscape, carrying important positive implications for global economic recovery, world peace and stability, and sound interaction between major powers.

New vision

Following the two leaders' formal talks on Thursday, the Chinese leader on Friday warmly welcomed Trump in Zhongnanhai, according to Xinhua, which also noted that the two heads of state walked and talked, occasionally stopping to admire the trees and flowers in the garden.

Noting that Trump's visit was a historic and landmark one, Xi said the two sides had set the new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability.

"We had reached important common understandings on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation in various fields, and properly addressing each other's concerns," Xi said, per Xinhua. The two sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues, according to the Chinese leader, Xinhua reported. 

The visit is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, deepening mutual trust and improving the well-being of the two peoples, said the Chinese president.

"While President Trump hopes to make America great again, I am dedicated to leading the Chinese people toward national rejuvenation," the Chinese leader said, stressing that the two countries can advance their respective development and revitalization by strengthening cooperation.

Trump said that he is very grateful to Xi for inviting him to visit Zhongnanhai, adding that his China visit was very successful, captured the world's attention and was unforgettable, per Xinhua. 

Noting that Xi is his old friend, Trump said that he has great respect for Xi and that they have established a good relationship. The US-China relationship is very important and will definitely get better, he said.

Trump said that he is willing to continue to maintain sincere and in-depth communication with Xi, and warmly looks forward to hosting him in Washington, DC, Xinhua reported. 

Beyond the remarks from Trump featured in Xinhua, US news outlets' coverage of key details from Friday's event further underscored the friendly atmosphere surrounding the China-US leaders' meeting.

According to Fox News, as the Chinese leader guided Trump on a tour of the garden in Zhongnanhai, Trump praised the setting, saying, "I like this place. I could get used to it."

Trump gave high praise as he walked past green columns and archways in Zhongnanhai, saying that "These are the most beautiful [Chinese] roses anyone has ever seen," according to AP. 

In addition, the concept of a "new vision" has sparked interest among international media. US magazine The Diplomat said the two leaders seek a new chapter in China-US relations.

Wu Xinbo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University, told the Global Times on Friday that the successful China-US leaders' summit has provided important support for the improvement and development of bilateral relations in the next phase, and marks a new starting point for China-US relations to achieve steady progress while maintaining stability and moving toward greater improvement.

"It has laid a solid foundation for stabilizing bilateral relations and deepening the bonds of mutual interests between the two sides," said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University. 

Against the backdrop of profound changes in the international landscape and significant adjustments in the global balance of power, the new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, has provided both sides with a clear guideline for action, he added. 

More expected 

The world's media has been closely following the historic summit between Chinese and US leaders over the past few days. BBC said in its live coverage on Friday that the two leaders concluded very successful talks in Beijing while Reuters, quoting Trump, said his visit was incredible. 

French media outlet Le Monde reported that for the US president's visit, the Chinese leader put on a display of grandeur, while remaining very firm on the Taiwan question. 

The vast majority of media outlets in China's Taiwan region, regardless of their political stance, have been paying close attention to the China-US leaders' summit. On Thursday, Trump did not directly respond to media questions concerning the Taiwan question during his visit to the Temple of Heaven, sparking concerns among secessionists.

On the Taiwan question, Wang Yi noted on Friday at the media briefing that the Taiwan question was one of the key topics during the leaders' meeting. He reiterated China's position, stating that Chinese side had sensed during the meeting that the US side understands China's stance, attaches importance to China's concerns, and, like the international community, does not recognize or accept "Taiwan independence."

On the Middle East situation, Wang said China maintains that on the basis of sustaining the ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened as soon as possible, and at the same time believes that the fundamental solution to issues concerning the strait lies in the realization of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi stated that both China and the United States are willing to maintain communication over the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in working for its political settlement.

China's major neighboring countries also responded to the China-US leaders' summit on Friday.

According to CNN, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to China will be "a good opportunity to exchange opinions on the contacts that have taken place between the Chinese and the Americans."

"When (the US and China) engage in direct dialogue at the highest level … such contacts, of course, are a subject of special attention and analysis for all countries, including our country," Peskov said, per CNN. 

When answering a question raised by a reporter from China Central Television (CCTV), South Korean presidential office's senior secretary for public relations and communication Lee Kyu-yeon said on Friday that South Korea welcomes the meeting between the Chinese and US leaders as well as the development of China-US relations, adding that Seoul hopes the summit will also further deepen and strengthen both China-South Korea relations and US-South Korea relations, CCTV reported. 

According to a release by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Friday that it crucial that US-China relations contribute to the stability of the international community, including Japan, which has therefore been paying close attention to the recent US-China leaders' summit.

As the world's two most important major powers, the peace, stability, and practical cooperation between China and the US profoundly influence the global strategic landscape, world economic development, and the prosperity and stability of the international community, said Wu. 

Similarly, Li said that the stability of China-US relations has, in a sense, taken on the attributes of a global public good. Any warming or cooling in the relationship between China and the US will quickly be transmitted to global markets, supply chains, and even security expectations.

On Thursday, International Monetary Fund spokesperson Julie Kozack said that it welcomes the initial positive dialogue between the Chinese and US leaders, adding that reducing tension and uncertainty between the world's two largest economies was good for the world, per a Reuters report. 

"In the current increasingly complex international environment, the strategic guidance by the Chinese and US leaders is particularly valuable," Li said, "Both leaders have demonstrated strategic vision and a high sense of responsibility toward their respective countries and the international community, providing much-needed certainty and positive energy to the world."

In the first Truth Social post en route back to the US, Trump shared a photo that recorded the moment the two heads of state walked in front of the Great Hall of People in Beijing. 

"The man I am walking with is President Xi, of China, one of the World's Great Leaders!" said the US president. 

In a Fox News interview on Thursday, Trump described the Chinese leader as "a warm person."

"I'll get criticized, as always, when I say good things about certain leaders," Trump said. "But he's a leader for China. He's led almost 1.5 billion people for a long time, and he's respected."