A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (May 14) lasted for two hours.

Following the meeting, the White House stated that the two leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must be kept open to ensure the free flow of energy. Additionally, the United States and China reached a consensus that no tolls are to be levied on this waterway.

When asked by journalists how the meeting went, Trump responded with a single word: “Excellent.”
A second reporter asked whether he had discussed the issue of Taiwan. In response—continuing the theme of his previous remarks—Trump said, “Wonderful place, incredible; China is very beautiful.”

When subsequently asked again whether he had discussed Taiwan, Trump simply stared straight ahead; Xi, too, maintained a similar forward gaze.

This marks Trump’s first visit to China since beginning his second term as President of the United States. Upon his arrival in Beijing on Wednesday night, he was accorded a red-carpet reception.

Prior to this, Trump had also visited Beijing in November 2017 during his first term. Since that visit, no other US President has traveled to the country.