JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping invited US President Donald Trump to the highest, highly private, government center complex in Beijing, Zhongnanhai.
"Today, I invite President Trump and other high officials to visit Zhongnanhai. Zhongnanhai is the workplace and residence of state leaders, including myself," President Xi said in a video broadcast by state television, Friday.
Zhongnanhai is the highest government and leadership complex in China that combines the presidential office, the prime minister's office as well as the offices and residences of Chinese Communist Party elites such as the White House for the US government. Zhongnanhai is closed to the public and has very high security.
Only a few world leaders have ever entered the location. Among them are Russian President Vladimir Putin who met Xi Jinping on May 16, 2024; King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in 2017 and 2025; King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in 2018 and US President George W. Bush who was invited together with then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin on February 22, 2002.
"Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao have worked and lived here. This visit is actually also a form of response to President Trump's reception of me at Mar-a-Lago in 2017," said Xi.
Xi explained that Zhongnanhai was originally part of the imperial garden, so it has a very strong historical feel.
In a written release from the Chinese government, it was stated that when Trump arrived at Zhongnanhai, Xi Jinping greeted him warmly. The two heads of state walked while talking, occasionally stopping to enjoy the view of the sturdy old trees towering and various types of roses in the garden.
"When I was walking with President Trump, we stopped for a while. The trees here are hundreds of years old, one of which is about 490 years old. In this palace area, the history can be traced back more than a thousand years," added Xi.
He also said Trump seemed very interested in the contents of Zhongnanhai, including the roses there.
"I also agree to send the rose seeds to President Trump as a gift," Xi said.
Trump also immediately responded positively to Xi Jinping's intention to send the rose seeds.
"Of course I'm very happy. This visit is extraordinary, and I think there are many good things that have come out of it. We have reached a number of fantastic trade agreements, very good for both countries," said Trump.
Trump called Xi Jinping a person he greatly respects.
"I really admire him. We've known each other for 11, almost 12 years, that's a long time and we've solved a lot of problems that no one else would have been able to solve. This relationship is very strong," Trump said.
He also believed that the two had achieved extraordinary things without detailing what the deal was.
"I believe we will return, maybe on September 24 or around that date and President Xi will come to the United States. This visit will be reciprocal, like reciprocal trade," Trump said briefly.
The visit was also attended by the Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Cai Qi, Deputy Prime Minister of China He Lifeng, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US Ambassador to China David Perdue, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
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