The second day of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China began with his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai, the heavily guarded leadership compound of the Chinese Communist Party, often described as the “Chinese version” of the White House.

The compound covers approximately 6,000 acres and includes lakes, pavilions, gardens, and administrative buildings. About half of the area is covered by water, while the site is surrounded by historic red walls and is considered one of the country’s most secretive locations.

According to CNN, upon arriving Friday morning, Trump was seen speaking with Xi while strolling through the compound’s gardens. Journalists accompanying the delegation were moved away a few minutes later when a Chinese official asked them to step back, explaining that the two leaders wished to continue their discussion privately.

“We solved many problems”

Before sitting down for talks, Trump and Xi walked for about ten minutes through the compound’s gardens. According to reports, as he passed green columns and decorative arches, the American president remarked that “these are the most beautiful roses” he had ever seen, with Xi later responding that he would send him rose seeds “as a gift.”

Trump described his visit to China as “incredible,” saying that “a lot of good came out of it.” He also claimed that the two sides had achieved “fantastic trade deals for both countries” and had resolved problems “that others could not solve.” The American president also described his relationship with Xi Jinping as “very strong.”

During his remarks at Zhongnanhai, Trump said the two leaders had also discussed Iran, noting that they agreed Tehran should not acquire a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. “We want all of this to end, because the situation there is crazy,” he added.

“Fortress”

Security in the area remains extremely strict, with surveillance cameras covering every corner and strong security forces, both uniformed and plainclothes, constantly patrolling. A Chinese escort accompanying the delegation described Zhongnanhai as “a very private place,” emphasizing the highly protected nature of the meeting between the two leaders.

New round of talks with limited delegations

Trump and Xi are proceeding with a second round of talks today, held in a more private setting during a tea meeting.

Unlike the broad delegations that participated in Thursday’s discussions, both sides are this time represented by smaller groups of senior officials, in what is considered likely to be an intensive session.

On the American side, Donald Trump is accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue.

On the Chinese side, alongside Xi Jinping are his chief of staff Cai Qi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier He Lifeng — considered a key negotiator on trade matters — as well as Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and China’s ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng.

Tea diplomacy at Zhongnanhai

Xi Jinping is known for his particular fondness for tea and has in the past hosted carefully arranged tea ceremonies for foreign leaders visiting China.

China places special importance on the tradition of tea, which has a history spanning thousands of years and includes hundreds of different varieties. In Chinese diplomacy, offering tea to a foreign leader is considered a sign of respect, sincerity, and courtesy, while also serving as a symbolic projection of Chinese culture.

Kung Pao chicken and brownies at the Trump–Xi working lunch

During their intensive talks in Beijing, Trump and Xi will also take part in a working lunch with a limited number of senior officials from both sides. According to the White House, the menu appears to have been designed in part to match the well-known dietary preferences of the American president.

Among the dishes to be served are seafood soup with minced cod, crispy lobster balls, beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, Kung Pao chicken with scallops, seasonal vegetables, bamboo, mushrooms and beans, as well as beef cooked in bread buns and steamed dumplings with pork and shrimp. Dessert will include chocolate brownies, fruit, ice cream, coffee, and tea.