Trump to visit Beijing on May 14-15 in his first visit to China in eight years

A senior United States delegation visit to Beijing has added momentum to ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Beijing, as US Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday in discussions focused on stabilising strained bilateral relations.

The meeting comes just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14–15, a closely watched visit expected to shape the next phase of US-China relations amid global economic and security tensions, Reuters reported.

During the meeting, Wang Yi described Daines’ visit as “highly symbolically significant,” noting that it is the first delegation of US senators to visit China since Trump took office. He emphasised that direct, face-to-face dialogue remains essential, calling it “the starting point for building trust” between the two countries.

Wang reiterated China’s consistent approach to US relations, calling for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. He also highlighted that high-level engagement between President Xi Jinping and President Trump has played an important role in maintaining relative stability despite recent geopolitical friction.

Senator Daines responded by underscoring shared objectives, stating that both sides ultimately seek “the same outcomes” in terms of stability and peaceful cooperation. He added that US senators represent a broad political spectrum and operate independently of the executive branch, signalling Congress’ parallel diplomatic engagement.

The two sides also discussed wider regional issues, including the ongoing Iran crisis. Daines specifically praised Wang for his recent diplomatic engagement with Iran’s foreign minister, saying it contributed positively to reducing tensions in the Middle East and expressing personal appreciation for China’s role in de-escalation efforts.

The talks reflect continued attempts by both Washington and Beijing to keep communication channels open despite deep disagreements over trade, technology, and security issues. Officials from both countries expressed cautious optimism that sustained dialogue could help stabilise one of the world’s most critical and complex bilateral relationships.