US President Donald Trump has announced he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in China on 14–15 May, following a postponement of the high-profile visit due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The trip, which would mark the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade, had initially been scheduled for 31 March but was delayed as Washington remained engaged in military operations. Trump also indicated he plans to host Xi in Washington, DC later this year, adding that officials are “finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits,” in a post on Truth Social.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the revised dates, stating that President Xi had accepted the delay. “President Xi understood that it’s very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now,” she told reporters during a Wednesday briefing.
BBC News reported that Beijing has yet to officially confirm the timeline. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said both sides remain in communication regarding the visit, emphasizing that “leader-level diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role” in bilateral relations.
The postponement came after the US and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran, escalating tensions in the region. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and US-aligned Gulf states, and temporarily shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies, triggering a worldwide fuel crisis.
Washington has since called on allies to help restore access through the strait, with Trump warning of further action against Iran’s energy infrastructure if disruptions persist.
When asked whether the conflict would subside before the China visit, Leavitt said officials had “always estimated approximately four to six weeks, so you can do the math on that”.
Trump last visited China in November 2017 during his first term, while his most recent meeting with Xi took place in October at the APEC summit in South Korea.
Relations between the United States and China have remained strained, shaped by ongoing trade disputes, technological rivalry, and broader geopolitical tensions. Analysts say the upcoming visit will be closely monitored for signs of diplomatic progress.
Chinese state media has emphasized the importance of revitalizing engagement with the United States, highlighting that the current lack of high-level exchanges and limited people-to-people interactions is unusual. The commentary stressed that both countries benefit from cooperation and face setbacks from confrontation.
