CHINA PERSPECTIVE

Beijing watches the Trump-Xi summit with the satisfaction of a host who has domesticated the agenda. The South China Morning Post — the English-language Hong Kong paper that often reflects official Chinese positions on the international stage — describes a confident, prepared China that wanted and organized this visit on its own conditions.

Xi Jinping receives Trump having consolidated China's ties with Iran and Russia, accumulated strategic commodity reserves, and with Chinese financial markets anticipating a positive outcome. The SCMP notes that Chinese investors have bet on the continuation of the trade detente — Shanghai markets rose 2.3% in the week before the summit.

The power dynamic described by Beijing's press is as follows: Trump arrives as a demandeur — he wants commercial deals, rebalancing of the trade deficit, spectacular announcements for his domestic audience. Xi, in contrast, can afford to be the lord of the manor welcoming a guest. The symbolism is telling: this is the first US presidential visit to China in nearly nine years.

On Taiwan, Beijing's official position is firm but publicly non-aggressive: China has said it is ready to cooperate 'in a spirit of equality and mutual benefit.' The SCMP notes Taiwan's opposition (KMT) voted to increase its defense budget just before the summit, under American pressure — data the mainland press does not highlight.

The subject of Hong Kong and Jimmy Lai's case is conspicuous by its absence from official media. Trump has said he wants to raise it; Beijing's silence is strategic. Similarly, the presence of Elon Musk — whose Tesla has major interests in China — is seen as an advantage for Beijing: businessmen with a stake in the summit's success become involuntary spokesmen for Chinese positions.