3 symbolic places that Xi Jinping's government has chosen to surprise Trump on his visit to China
President Xi is taking his American counterpart to some significant places that showcase China's vast history
It's the first visit by an American leader in almost ten years, and Beijing has rolled out the red carpet, taking President Donald Trump to some historic sites.
And Trump has appeared impressed.
For China, the meticulous choreography of the visit could be designed to showcase its power and its long history, and that its doors are open to visitors on the global stage.
Next, we introduce 3 iconic places that are part of the summit between Xi and Trump.
1. Great Village Hall
At an arrival ceremony held in the Great Hall of the People, Trump was greeted by a military band and waving children.
This state building, located west of Tiananmen Square, is the place where the Chinese National People's Assembly meets and is often used to receive foreign leaders.
Opened in 1959, it was one of the “Ten Great Buildings” which commemorated the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
The huge complex houses hundreds of halls and offices. The auditorium seats more than 10,000 people, while 5,000 diners can dine simultaneously in the State banquet hall.
3. The Temple of Heaven
After the bilateral talks, the leaders toured the Temple of Heaven, a 600 year imperial complex that Trump called a “magnificent place.”
He becomes the second sitting US president to visit the site, after Gerald Ford in 1975.
The arrangement of its 92 buildings, nestled between gardens and forests, symbolizes the relationship between the Earth and the Sky.
Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices here and prayed for abundant harvests, reflecting Chinese rulers' belief in divine connection.
3. Zhongnanhai
On the second day of the summit, Xi and Trump will pose for a “friendship photo” and shake hands in Zhongnanhai, an ancient imperial garden located next to the Forbidden City in central Beijing.
A sign at the entrance reads: “Long live the great Communist Party of China!”.
The hermetic and heavily guarded complex of Zhongnanhai houses the offices and residences of top Chinese leaders.
Receiving an invitation to this place is usually considered, for foreign dignitaries, a sign of closeness and recognition.