President Donald Trump Arrives in China amid North Korea Tensions
President Donald Trump has landed in Beijing for a visit likely to focus heavily on trade and tensions with North Korea.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has prepared a lavish reception for President Trump.
Earlier, in a speech to the South Korean parliament, President Trump urged China to sever ties with North Korea.
President Trump is in China as part of a five-nation tour of Asia. He has also visited Japan so far.
Before his arrival, President Trump piled praise on President Xi, saying he was looking forward to meeting the Chinese leader after “his great political victory”.
President Donald Trump Urges North Korea to Discuss Giving Up Nuclear Weapons
Donald Trump: “US Military Is Locked and Loaded to Deal with North Korea”
Donald Trump Criticizes China Following North Korea’s Test of Long-Range Missile
Xi Jinping recently consolidated his power at a Chinese Communist Party congress, a move analysts say will make him less likely to reach compromise with President Trump.
Despite his congratulations, there are tensions between the two men, with President Trump having attacked China over its allegedly unfair trade practices.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are scheduled to visit the Forbidden City, for centuries the home of China’s emperors, followed by afternoon tea.
The president’s arrival came just hours after his speech in the South Korean capital Seoul, in which he described North Korea as “a hell that no person deserves”.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has sparked international alarm, with Pyongyang carrying out its biggest nuclear test yet in September. In typically stark language, Donald Trump warned North Korea: “Do not underestimate us. Do not try us.”
However, there were hints though he might be open to a deal, telling North Korea “we will offer you a path for a better future”.
Singling out Russia and China, President Trump urged “all responsible nations” to isolate North Korea, and fully implement UN sanctions, downgrade diplomatic ties and sever trade and technology ties.
“You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept,” he said.
China is North Korea’s only major ally, but says it is committed to the UN sanctions and argues its leverage is overestimated.