‘Settled lot of different problems’: Trump during talks with Xi at Zhongnanhai compound

BEIJING: US President Donald Trump on Friday said that “a lot of different problems” had been resolved during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound as part of his two-day visit to the country, with the two sides also holding talks on trade, Iran and broader bilateral ties.

Speaking to the press, Trump said that he had an “incredible visit” and noted a lot of positive outcomes during his time here. “This has been an incredible visit, and I think that a lot of, a lot of good has come of it. We’ve made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries. He’s a man I respect greatly. We’ve become early friends,” Trump said.

“And we’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to settle, and the relationship is a very strong one. We’ve really done some wonderful things, I believe,” he noted, adding that the two leaders had known each other for over a decade.

BREAKING:

Xi & Trump conclude historic summit at Zhongnanhai!

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– Trump calls Xi a “friend” of 12 years, citing… pic.twitter.com/ZNzj1bx8IR

— RussiaNews (@mog_russEN) May 15, 2026

He further stated that both sides discussed Iran and shared similar views on preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as well as ensuring the opening of the strategic maritime route, the Strait of Hormuz.

“We did discuss Iran; we feel very similarly on Iran — we want that to end. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the straits open; we’re closing it now — or they closed it, and then we closed it on top of them — but we want the straits open,” the US President said.

Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that the two leaders held an in-depth exchange on major bilateral and global issues and “reached a series of new common understandings”. “The two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings,” the statement read.

According to the MFA statement, the two sides agreed on a “new vision” for a constructive and strategically stable China-US relationship over the coming years, aimed at ensuring steady development of ties and contributing to global peace and prosperity.

“The two presidents agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for China-US relations over the next three years and beyond, promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world,” the statement added.

Trump on Friday held talks with Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai, the highly secured leadership compound of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, as part of the US President’s two-day visit to the country. The meeting between the two leaders began Friday morning local time, with Trump and Xi seen walking through the gardens of the sprawling compound before holding a private discussion away from the media, as reported by CNN.

Zhongnanhai, often described as China’s equivalent of the White House, serves as the central leadership complex of the Chinese Communist Party. Spread across nearly 1,500 acres, including large lakes, gardens, pavilions and government offices, the compound is considered one of the country’s most secretive and heavily guarded locations.

U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping toured a garden rarely open even to VIPs during their visit to the walled-off Zhongnanhai complex. pic.twitter.com/YJWgKJaGdg

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 15, 2026

According to CNN, Trump admired the landscaped gardens during the visit as Xi accompanied him through the premises. The quiet and tightly secured compound, enclosed by historic red ochre walls and monitored by extensive security systems, stood in sharp contrast to the bustle of the Chinese capital outside.

Following their private interaction, which according to CNN lasted around 10 minutes, Trump and Xi resumed their walk through the gardens of Zhongnanhai. “These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen,” Trump remarked during the stroll.

When asked by reporters whether he was enjoying the visit, Trump responded with a thumbs up as Chinese officials instructed the media with “no questions”. The two leaders later walked through a covered corridor decorated with traditional Chinese artwork before arriving at a pavilion, where Xi briefed Trump on the history of Zhongnanhai through a translator.

Earlier on Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and banquet for Trump during the state visit, and the two leaders also visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Officials said the interactions enhanced mutual understanding, strengthened communication, and injected “stability and certainty” into global affairs.

The visit marks Trump’s first trip to China in nine years, with both sides emphasising continued dialogue and coordination on international and regional issues. (ANI)

Senior US officials accompanying Trump included Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. During the interaction, Xi told Trump that he was sending rose seeds to him, as per CNN. Apart from Rubio, Hegseth and Bessent, Trump’s smaller delegation includes US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Ambassador to China David Perdue.

Xi, meanwhile, is accompanied by senior Chinese officials, including his Chief of Staff Cai Qi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and China’s Ambassador to the US Xie Feng, as reported by CNN. (ANI)