A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck China’s southwestern Guangxi region early on Monday, May 18, killing at least two people and leaving one missing. More than 7,000 residents were evacuated from Liuzhou city following the tremor. State media outlets CCTV and Xinhua reported that the deceased were a 63-year-old man and his 53-year-old wife. Four others were injured and hospitalized, though none were in critical condition.

CCTV said at least 13 buildings collapsed as a result of the quake. Videos released by local media showed panicked residents rushing out of high-rise buildings and debris scattered across several areas. Rescue teams were searching through the rubble using sniffer dogs and heavy machinery to locate the missing person and clear debris.

Rail authorities reported potential transport disruptions as they inspected rail lines and infrastructure for damage. However, Chinese media confirmed that electricity, communications, water, gas, and road networks remained normal.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for two days in mid-March 2026, marking their first face-to-face meeting in China since 2017. The summit aimed to ease tensions and stabilize relations between the two powers. Both leaders publicly praised the meeting, with Xi calling it a success in strengthening economic cooperation and Trump describing Xi as a friend. However, separate official statements revealed that little real progress was made on major issues such as trade, Taiwan, Iran, and artificial intelligence.

Preparatory talks between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng had hinted at possible advances, including forming trade and investment councils and regulating AI model access. Yet, after the summit, key questions remained unresolved, including whether the trade war truce would be extended. China confirmed some agreements but avoided endorsing U.S. claims about large Boeing and agricultural deals. Xi emphasized Taiwan as a red line, warning that missteps could lead to conflict, while Trump remained ambiguous about U.S. defense commitments.

The meeting underscored deep strategic mistrust. Despite ceremonial warmth, both sides appeared to pursue divergent agendas, leaving the future of U.S.–China relations uncertain.

China has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Bangladesh for regional peace, stability, and development. Speaking at a banquet honoring a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation, Jiang Yan, Deputy Director General of Xinjiang’s Foreign Affairs Office, described Bangladesh as a tested friend and a key development partner. He emphasized expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and education, noting that stability is essential for sustainable progress.

Jiang highlighted Xinjiang’s transformation into a major commercial hub bordering eight countries and invited Bangladesh to benefit from the province’s development experience. He said Xinjiang is now secure, with no separatist incidents since 2022, and welcomed over 30 million foreign tourists in 2025. Addressing questions on religious freedom, he rejected Western media criticism, asserting that Muslims in Xinjiang enjoy full freedom of worship.

The Bangladeshi delegation also visited the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, where administrators described its role in combining traditional Islamic scholarship with modern education. The institute, supported by significant state investment, trains imams and scholars through a rigorous curriculum balancing theology and contemporary social needs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China on May 19 for a two-day trip, according to a Kremlin statement. During the visit, Putin will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening what Moscow describes as their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” The announcement comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump completed his own visit to Beijing.

Analysts cited in the report view Putin’s trip as part of an effort to deepen ties between Russia and China at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and strained U.S.-China relations. The Kremlin emphasized that the discussions will focus on expanding collaboration between Moscow and Beijing across multiple strategic areas.

The visit underscores the growing alignment between the two countries as they navigate shifting global power dynamics and respond to evolving international challenges.

China has called for dialogue between the United States and Iran to defuse ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing emphasized the need to swiftly restore normal operations in the vital waterway. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that resolving the crisis depends on establishing a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, according to comments published by the state news agency Xinhua.

Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping had told US President Donald Trump that force cannot solve problems and that dialogue is the only correct path. He added that while solutions through talks may not come overnight, once the door to dialogue is opened, it should not be closed again. Wang also said China remains actively engaged in promoting peace in the Middle East and will continue its role in ending conflicts and restoring stability in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global energy supplies, and recent tensions there have raised international concern. China’s diplomatic appeal is being viewed as a significant move in this context.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping described Trump’s Beijing visit as historic and highly successful. On the second day of the trip, Xi guided Trump through the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, where China’s top leaders live and work. During their walk, Xi mentioned the site’s imperial history and a 490-year-old tree, while Trump admired the Chinese roses. Xi said he would send Trump rose seeds as a gift for the White House Rose Garden.

Both leaders emphasized a constructive and strategic new phase in U.S.-China relations. Xi called the visit a milestone and said the two sides had set a new position for stable cooperation. Trump said they discussed trade, Iran, and other global issues, claiming they solved problems others could not. He expressed gratitude to Xi and said he looked forward to hosting him in Washington on September 24.

Before leaving Beijing, Trump joined Xi for a formal lunch. The White House described the visit as memorable, while Chinese state media highlighted the leaders’ mutual respect and commitment to implementing key agreements.

China has called for renewed dialogue to end the ongoing war in Iran and restore stability in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that ensuring peace and stability in the Gulf and the wider region is now the most important priority. The ministry emphasized that the conflict in Iran has caused severe disruption and serious consequences across the region.

According to the ministry, it is essential to find a way out of the Iran war as soon as possible. China stressed that the opportunity for talks to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz should not be missed. The ministry further stated that dialogue and negotiation are the correct paths forward and that preventing any obstruction or tension in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial.

The statement reflects China’s focus on diplomatic solutions to regional instability and its concern over the economic and security implications of continued conflict in the Gulf area.

U.S. President Donald Trump departed China on Friday after completing a three-day state visit. He left Beijing aboard Air Force One following a farewell ceremony held in his honor at Beijing International Airport. Trump had arrived in the Chinese capital on Wednesday night, receiving a red-carpet welcome at the start of his visit.

During the trip, Trump held two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, covering a range of topics including trade, Iran, and Taiwan. The United States sought China’s cooperation in reaching an agreement with Iran. In addition to official meetings, Trump visited several historic sites in China as part of his itinerary.

On the final day of the visit, Trump and Xi met again and toured the historic Zhongnanhai leadership complex in Beijing, marking the conclusion of the U.S. president’s second-term state visit to China.

U.S. President Donald Trump has concluded his visit to China, where expectations were high that he would press Beijing to help halt the ongoing conflict involving Iran. China, a close diplomatic partner and major oil buyer of Iran, appeared to maintain its existing position despite discussions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to a White House statement, both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and that Iran should never acquire nuclear weapons. The statement also noted Xi’s opposition to militarization or the imposition of tariffs in the strait, and hinted that China may purchase oil from the United States. However, China’s foreign ministry later reiterated that its stance on Iran remained unchanged, emphasizing continuity in its policy.

It remains unclear whether the Trump–Xi talks will have any tangible impact on the Iran conflict. For now, Beijing appears to have reaffirmed its established position rather than signaling any new diplomatic direction.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing as a milestone in bilateral relations. According to a statement released on social media platform X, the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump resulted in a series of new common understandings aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations.

The ministry said both leaders agreed on a new vision for building a constructive China-U.S. relationship based on strategic stability. This framework is expected to guide bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond. The statement added that the discussions deepened mutual trust, enhanced understanding, and advanced practical cooperation, contributing to much-needed global stability and certainty.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues and to address each other’s concerns appropriately, according to the Chinese foreign ministry’s statement.

China has outlined a five-point peace initiative with Pakistan aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Iran and restoring stability in the Middle East. In a statement released on social media by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on May 15, 2026, Beijing emphasized that the current conflict in Iran and its neighboring regions should never have occurred, citing severe humanitarian and economic consequences. The ministry welcomed the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran and urged that the momentum for dialogue be maintained.

According to the statement, China believes that negotiation is the only viable path to peace, while the use of military force leads to a dead end. It also called for the reopening of Persian Gulf maritime routes as soon as possible to safeguard global economic stability. The joint initiative with Pakistan is part of China’s broader commitment to President Xi Jinping’s Middle East peace vision, under which Beijing pledges to play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace in the region.

The proposal underscores China’s growing diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern affairs and its emphasis on dialogue-driven conflict resolution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that Washington and Beijing have entered a new era in their bilateral relationship. The statement, released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following Xi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, said both sides agreed to establish a constructive, strategic, and stable relationship for the next three years and beyond.

According to the statement, despite existing differences, the new relationship will emphasize cooperation, well-managed competition, and long-term stability. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed several complex issues. Xi warned that Taiwan remains the most critical issue in China-US relations, stressing that proper handling of the matter would help maintain stability, while mismanagement could lead to serious conflict and jeopardize the entire bilateral relationship.

The statement reflects an effort by both nations to redefine their engagement framework, focusing on stability and strategic cooperation amid ongoing tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump have agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following their meeting in Beijing, both leaders committed to establishing a constructive, strategic, and stable relationship between China and the United States.

The statement said this new phase of relations will provide strategic direction for the next three years and beyond. The agreement is viewed as a significant step toward reducing long-standing tensions and creating a sustainable framework for cooperation. During the meeting, Xi noted that the two countries’ economic and trade teams had achieved a broadly balanced and positive outcome and urged both sides to work together to maintain this momentum.

Xi added that China’s door of openness will continue to widen and reminded that American companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening-up process. The statement also emphasized China’s willingness to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the Iran conflict is effectively over and expressed a desire to return to negotiations soon. Speaking en route to Beijing, he suggested that it is time to review Iran’s response to U.S. proposals. Trump emphasized that his main objective remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and believes China, as Iran’s largest oil and gas buyer, could pressure Tehran to engage in talks.

However, China has shown reluctance to act as a mediator in any foreign conflict, including the Iran issue. Beijing remains cautious, citing past instances where the United States withdrew from agreements and Iran subsequently faced attacks despite prior negotiations. Analysts note that China views the Iran crisis as a problem created by Washington and is unwilling to take responsibility for resolving it.

With about 40 hours remaining in Trump’s Beijing visit, the Iran issue continues to loom over discussions, but significant progress appears unlikely as China prefers to maintain a safe distance from the conflict.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump visited the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing as part of an ongoing high-level summit. The visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site, which is over 600 years old, was viewed as a symbolic gesture reflecting the significance of China-U.S. relations. Built in 1420 during the late Ming dynasty, the temple was once a sacred site where emperors prayed for good harvests and imperial prosperity.

The two-day summit agenda included bilateral talks, a formal banquet, and this cultural tour, which stood out as one of the highlights. During Trump’s earlier visit to China in 2017, he toured the Forbidden City. This time, the Temple of Heaven visit underscored the leaders’ emphasis on deepening ties and symbolic exchange between their nations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such cultural engagements between the two global powers signal mutual respect and a desire for stability amid a turbulent international political climate.