The moment we've been waiting for is finally here: US President Donald Trump is in China.
Will he make a bodyguard figure out how to get McDonald's delivered to the Forbidden City during Day Two of his visit? Or will he dump an entire box of fish food into Houhai?
Stay tuned to our live coverage on That's Beijing to find out...
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6.39pm
And that's a wrap for today! Stay tuned for more live updates tomorrow.
5.37pm
Remember how we told you yesterday about Trump being the first foreign leader to dine in the Forbidden City since 1949? Apparently he loved last night's exclusive meal (and didn't even need to make a Big Mac run), having this to say about dinner with Xi:
"Our meeting last night was absolutely terrific. Our dinner was beyond that. We had a dinner that was going to last quickly — 20 or 25 minutes — because I was traveling and you were so nice and you said, 'we'll just do a quick dinner.' And I think it has to last at least two hours and we enjoyed every minute of it with your beautiful wife and Melania together. Their relationship is a great one and our relationship has already proven to be a great one."
What about Trump's meals for the rest of the week? That's Beijing is compiling a list of the best places to find an overcooked steak in the capital. Email your suggestions to welldonesteak@urbanatomy.com.
4.56pm
Radii has done a roundup of what Chinese netizens are saying about Trump's visit. "Trump is looking more and more like an American president," writes one.
Take a look at some more reactions here.
4.50pm
Beijingers, take note: here is where Trump & Co. are believed to be staying in Beijing this week. Several surrounding areas have experienced heightened security, including apartment checks and temporary local business closures. Roads have also been closed off to traffic while the Presidential motorcade rolls through.
You might want to avoid the area through Friday, when Trump's trip is scheduled to come to a close.
3.29pm
Meanwhile, First Ladies Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump are visiting a school, according to AFP China Correspondent Rebecca Davis.
China Daily reports that the two visited Banchang Elementary School in Dongcheng district, an ordinary primary school founded in 1947 that now has more than 1,000 students.
3.20pm
Trump just met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People.
3.16pm
US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad addresses Trump's controversial remarks on the US trade imbalance with China, via CNN:
"That's the President's words. I think what he's saying is that China is pursuing its own national interests and you can't blame any country for doing that. We just have to do a better job of doing that for the United States of America."
3.11pm
We've compiled some of the key things Trump and Xi talked about in their meetings today. The talks covered everything from trade to North Korea. Take a look at the key talking points here.
1.46pm
Here are a few highlights on what was said about North Korea during the press conference...
Xi Jinping said: "On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, we reiterated the firm commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of the peninsula."
Donald Trump praised China's recent efforts to help with the DPRK's nuclear weapons issue, but warned: "Time is quickly running out. We must act fast, and hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone."
He added: "All nations must unite to stop arming and financing, and even trading with the murderous North Korean regime."
And: "Now’s the time to liberate this region from the nuclear armed menace North Korea."
1.36pm
Trump on how he and Xi can solve the world's major problems, according to Bloomberg News White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs:
1.24pm
Trump's comments on the US-China trade imbalance at this afternoon's press conference, via Washington Post reporter David Nakamura:
Trump also opened the presser by praising Xi and congratulating him on the 19th Party Congress, saying: "Your people are proud of who they are and what they have built together and your people are also very proud of you."
The conference concluded with Trump telling Xi: "I want to thank you, you're a very special man."
1.15pm
Trump and Xi just met with the press for a joint statement minutes ago following extended meetings at the Great Hall of the People and the signing of several commercial deals between US and Chinese companies.
Xi called Trump's visit "successful and historic."
12.04pm
Bloomberg reports that the White House expects to announce business deals worth up to USD250 billion in China this week, according to US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The "jobs-based diplomacy" deal is aimed at cutting the US trade deficit with China.
11.48am
Here's another video from yesterday's Forbidden City visit. During one exchange between the two leaders, Trump pointed out that Egyptian civilization is older than China's (8,000 versus 5,000 years). Xi responded by noting that China's is the oldest continuous culture in the world.
"We have the same black hair and yellow skin," said Xi. “We call ourselves the descendents of the dragon.”
11.42am
This week's China visit comes just as President Trump proclaimed November 9, 2017 as World Freedom Day. Here's part of the statement from the White House:
"While we live in a time of unprecedented freedom, terrorism and extremism around the world continue to threaten us. The ultimate triumph of freedom, peace, and security over repressive totalitarianism depends on our ability to work side-by-side with our friends and allies. When nations work together, we have and we will secure and advance freedom and stability throughout our world.
"On World Freedom Day, we recommit to the advancement of freedom over the forces of repression and radicalism. We continue to make clear that oppressive regimes should trust their people and grant their citizens the liberty they deserve. The world will be better for it."
11.37am
Present at this morning's ceremony were several US officials, including: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, US Trade Reprentative Robert Lighthizer, communications director Hope Hicks, staff secretary Rob Porter, press secretary Sarah Sanders, US ambassador to China Terry Branstad, chief of staff John Kelly, social media director Dan Scavino, National Security Adviser HR McMaster and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
As Trump and Xi walked into the Hall, a Chinese military band played both the US and Chinese national anthems. The military band also played "Stars and Stripes Forever."
11.09am
Xi Jinping hosted a grand opening ceremony for Trump earlier this morning at the Great Hall of the People, China Daily reports.
10.43am
We have some disappointing news to report: a trip to the Great Wall isn't in Trump's itinerary this week. Sadly that means we won't be seeing any photos like this coming out of the trip:
What could have been.
But Chinese media are reporting that the Mutianyu section of the Wall will be closed off to the public all day on Friday (November 10) for undisclosed reasons.
Enjoy the toboggan tomorrow, Melania!
10.04am Chinese Standard Time (CST)
Good morning! Last night, a video of Trump's Mandarin-speaking granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, went viral. In the video greeting addressed to "Grandpa Xi and Grandma Peng," Arabella sings songs and recites poetry in Chinese. Watch it here.
The video has picked up nearly 20 million views on Tencent and tens thousands of likes on microblogging platform Sina Weibo overnight. "The whole world is learning Chinese," wrote on Weibo commenter.
Now that's what we call granddaughter diplomacy.
Click here to see more coverage of Trump's visit to Beijing.
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