U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day state visit to China, receiving a grand welcome led by Vice President Han Zheng. During the trip, Trump is scheduled to hold several key meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, focusing on the Iran war, Taiwan, trade, and technology. The visit marks Trump’s return to China nearly a decade after his first trip in 2017, when he was lavishly received.

The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since then. Xi Jinping, now in his third term, is advancing plans to build “new productive forces” through major investments in renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Trump faces declining popularity due to the Iran war and rising global prices, raising concerns about his party’s prospects in upcoming midterm elections. Analysts note that China now appears more confident and less eager to prove parity with the U.S.

Trump is accompanied by top executives from major American technology firms, including Apple, Tesla, and BlackRock, underscoring the visit’s economic and technological importance. He is also expected to seek China’s help in partially ending the Iran war through a potential agreement with Tehran.