Trump pulling out all the stops for Xi's visitpublished at 16:05 BST

16:05 BST

Daniel Bush
Washington correspondent

The press is gathered in the Rose Garden waiting for Presidents Trump and Xi to step outside for a military review ceremony.

An US honor guard is positioned on the roof atop the West Wing Colonnade and Oval Office, made up of military personnel holding American and Chinese flags.

It is highly unusual to see uniformed soldiers standing at attention above the Oval Office.

The striking visual reflects President Trump's effort to pull out all the stops for Xi's first visit to the White House in roughly a decade.

The summit may not produce much in the way of major new deals. But the pomp and circumstance surrounding Xi's visit, including the arrival ceremony yesterday, has far exceeded the welcome given other visiting heads of state in Trump's second term.

Unlike most state visits, today we do not have any live video footage of President Trump greeting President Xi.

That's because last week President Trump banned three outlets from the White House: Politico, MS Now and CNN.

In solidarity with CNN, other television networks agreed they would not be filming pooled moments of this visit.

Late last night, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately reinstate access to the White House for the three news organisations, while their legal action is considered.

But when some reporters from those outlets turned up at the White House this morning, they were not allowed in. They are challenging that in court again.

Xi now recalls Chinese and US troops fighting "shoulder to shoulder against fascist aggression".

He adds: "Chinese people have never forgotten that part of history, nor have the American people."

Given this, the Chinese leader announces an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for study exchange programmes over the next five years.

On Beijing and Washington's friendship, Xi says two pandas will meet Americans in their new home in Atlanta's Zoo. Gifting pandas has long been a symbol of China's friendship.

Before ending his speech, President Xi says achieving the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand".

"Let us meet the people's expectations and show our historical initiative, let us keep advancing the cause of friendship between our two peoples and work together to build a better world," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Xi continues, saying he hopes "Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the US".

He says both the US and China have a responsibility to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) for good, ensure it remains under human control and is to the benefit of people.

Xi adds that Beijing is willing to co-operate on trade with Washington, and that competition between the two countries should be "healthy", saying it should be a race of catching up with one another, not who wins or loses.

Xi says the two countries should strengthen their communication.

"China and the US are different... but through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better... and build up mutual trust," the Chinese leader says.

Xi adds that he and President Trump have "respect" for each other and stay in touch.

"We should co-operate with sincerity," he says, calling the interests of the two countries "deeply intertwined".

There is plenty of room to work together, he adds.

While co-operation between the two countries "may not solve every problem in the world", without it, it would be hard to solve many of the world's problems, Xi says.

Image source, Getty Images

Xi has now started speaking, saying he is very glad to pay a state visit to the "beautiful" United States.

The Chinese leader thanks the Trumps for their hospitality and congratulates them on the 250th anniversary of US independence.

Xi says both China and the US are great countries with great people, and says he is visiting the US to continue the friendship and expand co-operation.

He adds that China and the US, as two major countries, show their historic responsibility of advancing human development and progress

Xi says he is ready to work with Trump to steer the giant ship of the China-US relationship towards a steady future.

As Trump comes to the end of his remarks, he mentions the US Marines adopting the phrase "gung-ho" from China, which he says means "working together" in Chinese.

He concludes by saying he and President Xi will continue to work together, before welcoming Xi and his wife to the US.

Image source, Getty Images

Trump continues and says that working together, the US and China have made "tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries".

He says they are working on a "more balanced trading relationship" including "new market access for American farmers and ranches".

Trump adds the two sides will also discuss pressing issues on "security, technology and super intelligence". Decisions made in these areas today can "promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come", he says.

Elsewhere, he says "our two countries do, really, the same thing - and we're very proud of it, and the relationship".

President Trump is now speaking inside the White House.

He starts his remarks by saying he and President Xi have a relationship built on "mutual respect".

China's leader Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan have arrived at the White House. You can see pictures of their arrival below as they are greeted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Xi Jinping has just arrived at the White House, where US President Donald Trump greeted the Chinese leader with a handshake and a smile.

After a formal welcome takes place, the pair will head inside for talks. We'll bring you all the developments as soon as we get them.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Joe Tidy and Osmond Chia
Cyber correspondent and business reporter

Image source, Getty Images

President Trump has been blunt about his AI ambitions, as well as about who he considers America's main rival to be: China.

For Trump, beating China to AI supremacy outweighs any risks of the technology to humans - something he has described as "a hoax".

His Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, has not said anything so forthright - but it seems he holds a similar view.

China's foreign ministry has warned that "narratives of threat" and confrontation hinder global AI governance, and has called for co-operation to ensure it benefits all.

Despite calls for international co-operation, it remains unclear how the AI superpowers plan to address the technology's potential dangers - if at all.

Read more about the rivalry between the US and China over AI dominance.

Image source, Reuters

Donald Trump has posted on his Truth Social account ahead of a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, saying AI will be a "big topic of discussion".

He writes: "A big day with President Xi of China. Super Intelligence (SI) will be a big topic of discussion, but I want to leave it exactly where it is. That is China’s position also. Our guardrail is the DOJ!"

Speaking to the UN's General Assembly earlier this week, Trump said he wanted to rebrand AI as "super intelligence" as calling it artificial intelligence makes the technology "sound fake".

Trump has previously argued that the US must come out on top in the AI development race, saying earlier this month: "Whoever wins AI, wins."

He's also indicated he is firmly against introducing new regulation.

Xi will believe he has leverage in talkspublished at 13:46 BST

13:46 BST

Laura Bicker
China correspondent

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

President Xi is in a far stronger position than when he first met Donald Trump in 2017.

Back then, China was heavily dependent on American trade and technology. But Beijing has spent the last nine years reducing both vulnerabilities.

China is now the lead trade partner for more than 120 countries. It no longer relies on the US to buy its goods and it has weathered Trump’s trade tariffs.

Chinese firms have also managed to close the technology gap, and China now produces the vast majority of the world’s humanoid robots.

The country has used its status as the world’s biggest market to gain influence, even among traditional US allies, as Xi tries to project an image of a strong, stable leader in contrast to an unpredictable Donald Trump.

The grand spectacle of this summit itself is a victory for Xi, reinforcing his status as Trump’s peer on the world stage.

As the talks begin, Xi will believe the leverage is his.

Image source, EPA

Today, we're expecting President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to host President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The day will combine pomp and pageantry with serious business.

• An arrival ceremony will take place, followed by a military inspection in the White House's Rose Garden
• A bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Xi is expected to follow
• Later, a state dinner will be held, attended by US and Chinese officials as well as tech leaders. Trump and Xi will both speak

We'll bring you the key updates as they happen.

Can Trump and Xi bridge major disagreements in pomp-filled visit?published at 13:15 BST

13:15 BST

Daniel Bush
Washington correspondent

President Trump and President Xi will have a packed agenda at the summit starting later today in Washington, with major areas of disagreement that likely can’t be bridged in a pomp-filled in-person meeting at the White House.

Trade is a top priority for both countries. US and Chinese officials held trade talks on the sidelines of the UN general assembly gathering in New York earlier this week, but sources told the BBC the sides failed to make progress. Neither country wants to back down in a trade war sparked by Trump’s tariff policies, even with a deadline looming to extend an expiring trade truce the leaders reached last year.

AI regulation is also on the agenda. China has regulated its tech sector, including AI, but the US has not. Trump in recent weeks has called for less regulation, arguing it would hamper US efforts to maintain an AI edge over China.

US support for Taiwan is also expected to come up in talks between Trump and Xi. Trump has delayed a major arms package for Taiwan, and it’s an open question if Xi can convince him to leave the pause in place.

We're now on day two of a high-stakes visit to the US by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Here's a recap of what happened yesterday:

• Xi received a warm welcome upon arriving at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, with a military flyover taking place and a 100ft (30m) red carpet being rolled out
• Trump personally welcomed Xi at the base - the first time since 1962 that a US president has done so
• The two leaders and their wives were seen smiling and shaking hands as they exchanged a few words of conversation on the tarmac, before departing separately for Washington DC
• In a written statement, Xi said China and the US "should be partners rather than rivals", according to Chinese state media. It also reported that Trump called Xi a "great leader" and the occasion a "great moment"
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US and China would be extending a truce in their trade war through January
• Bessent said there was also discussion over whether there could be a more substantive trade deal in the future

Gabriela Pomeroy
Live reporter

Image source, epa

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet President Trump today at the White House as part of a historic three-day visit to the US – his first trip to Washington since 2015.

Xi arrived on Wednesday evening with his wife Peng Liyuan at the Joint Base Andrews military base in Maryland. Trump greeted the Chinese president, the first time since 1962 that a US president has personally welcomed a foreign leader at the military base.

The leaders are expected to talk about some of the key issues between the two countries, including trade tariffs, AI regulation and Iran.

Later in the day, they will attend a lavish state dinner along with the bosses of top American AI and tech companies.

Stick with us as we bring you the key details and developments.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in the US for a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump.

Here's what you need to know about Xi's arrival in the US, and the talks taking place this week:

• The US and China have struck a deal to extend their trade war truce, initially due to expire in November, until at least 10 January
• As Xi and his wife emerged from their plane, they were welcomed with a red carpet. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also there to personally greet the couple
• Delivering a written statement, Xi said China and the US should be "partners rather than rivals", Chinese state media reported

• As Trump and Xi find ways to manage a tricky relationship, one is certainly more effusive than the other, writes our China correspondent Laura Bicker
• Trump also risks backlash from his Maga base with the Xi visit though, writes White House reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr
• Joining Xi on this trip are some of the most senior figures in his government, including his right-hand man Cai Qi and foreign minister Wang Yi
• Major US tech and AI executives will be attending a state dinner with both leaders on Thursday
• It remains unclear if Chinese business executives are part of Xi's delegation, given that he may see their attendance as a risk for Beijing

We're pausing our live coverage now, but you can read this story for more about the Trump-Xi summit. Thank you for joining us.

Kali Hays
US technology reporter

Image source, Reuters

As the US and China race to develop more capable AI, discussion of the technology is set to be on the menu on Thursday.

Some of the most notable names in tech, including Satya Nadella of Microsoft, Tim Cook of Apple, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Jensen Huang of Nvidia, are expected to be dining with President Trump and Xi Jinping.

Also set to attend are Jeff Bezos, chairman of Amazon, Elon Musk, boss of Tesla and SpaceX, Sundar Pichai, boss of Google, Michael Dell, of Dell computers, and Jane Fraser, boss of Citi bank, representatives of the White House said.

When Trump travelled to China in May for a meeting with Xi, he also brought along Musk, Huang and Cook, along with a dozen other tech and business executives. At the time, public fears around AI tools getting outside of human control were not as widespread as they are now.

Altman and Huang, both huge beneficiaries of the recent AI boom, have recently been vocal in their ideas of how the US should deal with the prospect of future AI tools going outside human control.

Huang, like Trump, favours a more hands-off approach by the government. Altman has also supported the idea of AI companies being left responsible for safety of their tools, but on Monday urged the US to take a leadership position on global discussions of AI policy.