As the two leaders made their way into the meeting earlier, Trump could be heard asking Xi whether he had brought other presidents and prime ministers to the Chinese leadership compound Zhongnanhai. Xi appeared to shake his head in response, but his full answer – through the translator – unfortunately could not be heard.
Zhongnanhai offers a prestigious setting for Trump and Xi’s meeting and represents a gesture of hospitality. Only a handful of US leaders have been inside the heavily guarded facility next to the Forbidden City. It is generally not used for diplomatic visits.
Richard Nixon, the first American president to visit China, met Chairman Mao Zedong there during his groundbreaking trip in 1972, while George W. Bush visited the walled compound twice, in 2002 and 2008. Former president Barack Obama visited in 2014, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Xi has called his closest friend, was received at Zhongnanhai at least twice, in 2024 and 2025.
Former president George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush visit Zhongnanhai as guests of Chinese president Jiang Zemin (third left) in 2002.