Welcome back to What’s Happening in China, your weekly China brief, and happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
In a very rare—and nonreciprocal, since it was Vice-President Han Zheng who received him at the airport in Beijing in May—gesture, Donald Trump welcomed Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, as the Chinese leader arrived for a visit heavy on pageantry.
While the PRC continues to support Iran amid its ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Russia in its war against Ukraine, the U.S. president showered the Chinese leader with praise.
“I met President Xi at the plane (Airport!) yesterday and he looks strong, vibrant, and fit - Better than ever. Madam Xi, of course, BEAUTIFUL!” Trump posted on social media.
On trade, according to the Chinese readout, during his talks with Trump, Xi said that “the two sides had a new round of consultations, and reached a new joint arrangement,” as he called for cooperation “in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, a…
