During their meeting on May 14, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a notable change from their first meeting nine years ago when they toured the Forbidden City together.
According to state media, Xi welcomed Trump near the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven, where they posed for commemorative photos and enjoyed a brief tour.
The Temple of Heaven was a site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held ceremonies to pray for good harvests. It symbolizes the ancient Chinese cosmological belief that "heaven is round and the earth is square." This was the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to the Temple of Heaven since Gerald Ford in 1975.
The visit has drawn attention for its contrast to Trump's first trip to China in 2017, when he and Xi toured the Forbidden City and attended a performance of Peking opera, followed by a lavish banquet. In contrast, the Temple of Heaven visit lasted about 30 minutes, a stark difference from the half-day Trump and his wife, Melania, spent at the Forbidden City.
Analysts suggest this change in protocol reflects the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations. Unlike in 2017, the strategic competition between the two nations has intensified, and China appears more confident in its dealings with the U.S., leading to a shift in ceremonial practices.
Trump is scheduled to hold additional talks and a luncheon with Xi at Zhongnanhai on May 15 before returning to the United States.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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