U.S. President, Donald Trump, wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing with an exclusive tour of Zhongnanhai — the heavily guarded compound at the heart of China’s political power where the country’s top leaders live and work.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping, personally led Trump through the historic 14th-century complex on Friday, capping off a visit filled with grand ceremonies, diplomatic symbolism and carefully staged moments for the cameras, despite limited details about any concrete agreements reached between both countries.
The high-profile summit came against the backdrop of rising tensions over trade and the ongoing Iran conflict, but both leaders struck a notably friendly tone throughout the trip.
Trump described the visit as “incredible,” while Xi hailed what he called a “new bilateral relationship” between the United States and China.
During their walk through Zhongnanhai — often described as China’s version of the White House — Xi promised to send Trump seeds from the Chinese roses they admired together.
“I love that, it’s great,” Trump responded.
Located about 20 kilometres east of Tiananmen Square, Zhongnanhai once served as a retreat for Chinese emperors before becoming the headquarters of China’s Communist leadership after 1949.
The compound, famous for its lakes, gardens and strict security, is regarded as one of Beijing’s most politically sensitive locations, and invitations for foreign leaders to visit are considered highly unusual.
When Trump asked which other world leaders had entered the compound, Xi reportedly told him such visits were “extremely rare,” adding that Russian President, Vladimir Putin, had visited before. Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, was also hosted there last year.
Several former U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Richard Nixon, have previously toured the compound, with Nixon’s visit in 1972 remaining one of the most historic moments in U.S.-China relations.
At one point during Friday’s tour, Trump stopped to admire the flowers and centuries-old trees within the complex.
“These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen,” Trump reportedly said.
Xi then explained that some of the trees were between 200 and 400 years old.
“They live that long?” Trump asked.
“Yes, there are also 1,000-year-old trees in other places,” Xi replied.
Hours before the private tour, Fox News aired a pre-recorded interview in which Trump praised Xi as “warm” and “very smart.”
Trump also claimed Xi had assured him China would not supply military weapons to Iran, although Chinese officials later avoided directly responding to those comments.
According to Trump, Xi acknowledged that China still intends to continue purchasing large volumes of Iranian oil and wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.
While Beijing has not publicly confirmed Trump’s remarks, China’s foreign ministry said the country has been actively working behind the scenes to help de-escalate tensions and encourage negotiations over the Iran conflict.
China remains Iran’s biggest trading partner and largest buyer of its oil, making Beijing a key player in any diplomatic efforts involving Tehran.
Despite ongoing trade disputes between Washington and Beijing, Trump claimed discussions this time had gone “better than last time.”
He also said the American business executives who travelled with him to China were focused on securing investments and creating jobs back home.
Trump further disclosed that China had agreed to purchase American oil, 200 Boeing aircraft and large quantities of U.S. agricultural products, although Chinese officials later declined to directly address questions about the reported deals.
Beijing, however, maintained that the summit produced “a series of new consensuses,” without offering specific details.
Political analysts say China’s influence on the global stage has expanded in recent years, particularly as Beijing strengthened trade partnerships beyond the United States in response to Trump-era tariffs.
Trump’s Beijing visit follows recent trips by leaders from Britain, Germany and Canada, all seeking stronger economic ties with China.
Before concluding the tour, Trump appeared impressed by the visit and praised China once more.
“You’re gonna walk away hopefully very impressed, like I’m very impressed with China,” he said.
