After being postponed due to the war in the Middle East, U-S President Donald Trump has now departed the US for a three-day trip to Beijing. It the first visit by a U-S president to China since 2017.
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TRANSCRIPT
One of China's most popular tourist attractions, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing is known as the place where China's emperors prayed for harvest since the 15th century.
The temple announced its closure earlier this week so it can prepare for US President Donald Trump's visit to the historical site.
Mr Trump's trip - from May 13 to 15 - is the first visit by a US president to China in nine years.
A range of topics are expected to be discussed, including US soybean exports, China's relationship with Russia, and AI.
Mr Trump says the war in the Middle East will also be a talking point.
"Well, I think, number one, we're going to have a long talk about it (Iran). I think he's been relatively good, to be honest with you. You look at the blockade, no problem. They get a lot of their oil from that area. We've had no problem. And he's been a friend of mine. He's been somebody that we get along with. And I think you're going to see that good things are going to happen. This is going to be a very exciting trip. A lot of good things are going to happen."
Trade tariffs are also on the agenda, with 17 top U-S executives, including the top boss of Tesla, Apple, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard and Visa, joining Mr Trump for his trip to China.
But there could also be difficult conversations between the two leaders, with Mr Trump saying he plans to raise the topic of arm sales to Taiwan.
In December, the US approved a multi-billion-dollar arms package for Taiwan that includes rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers and various missiles.
In a video message to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Tuesday, Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, took the opportunity to thank the US for its support for the self-governed island.
"So, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest respect and gratitude to all the democratic partners who have chosen to stand with Taiwan, especially when under pressure. I would like to thank the United States for helping us strengthen our defence capabilities as part of its unwavering commitment to security."
China claims the democratically governed island of Taiwan as its own, a contention Taiwan rejects.
The US follows what it calls a "one-China policy", acknowledging China's position but taking no view on Taiwan's sovereignty.
Mr Trump says he will also raise concerns about political detainees in China, including independent Zion Church pastor Ezra Jin, and Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who's sentenced for 20 years in jail at aged 78, under Hong Kong's national security law.
Mr Lai's daughter, Claire, says she hopes Mr Trump's meeting with Mr Xi could lead to the release of Mr Lai, who's been reported of ill health in prison.
"President Trump has expressed his commitment to freeing my father. I think the years and trial after trial have taught us that, have taught me that, you know, the rule of law in Hong Kong is completely broken, that this is a solution that has to be solved leader to leader. And I am confident that President Trump will be the one to free my father."
For China's government, Mr Trump's upcoming visit represents an opportunity to deepen trade ties, with the two countries now in negotiations for a new deal covering agricultural products such as corn, poultry and meat.
Guo Jiakun is a spokesperson for China's Foreign Affairs Ministry .
"China-US economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial in nature. The two sides need to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and provide greater stability for China-US economic and trade cooperation."
