U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China is imminent, as two U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft carrying the presidential vehicle and protocol equipment have landed in Beijing. Despite the ongoing sanctions dispute between Washington and Beijing, the mid-month China visit is expected to proceed as scheduled.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Tuesday, two U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft landed successively at Beijing Capital International Airport on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. U.K.-based military aircraft tracking channel "Armchair Admiral" announced that "two additional C-17s are heading to Beijing."
The C-17 is a large transport aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. It carries protocol vehicles and support equipment for overseas trips by the president and vice president. The cargo includes "The Beast," the armored presidential limousine. During Vice President JD Vance's visit to Islamabad last month, at least four C-17s were deployed to transport dozens of vehicles. The same approach was used for Trump's visit to Qatar in October last year.
Trump also reaffirmed his intention to visit China the previous day. Asked about the trip, he said, "It's going to be an amazing event," adding that "the meeting with President Xi Jinping will be great."
Behind-the-scenes coordination is also accelerating. On Nov. 1, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that "the important agenda for high-level exchanges must be well prepared." On the same day, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a video conference with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. Shortly after the call, Bessent wrote on X, "I look forward to a productive Trump-Xi summit in Beijing."
However, the pressure ahead of the meeting is intensifying. On Nov. 1, the Trump administration announced sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals involved in the import and transport of Iranian crude oil. China immediately countered with an "order prohibiting compliance with sanctions."
