Xi welcomed Trump with full honors at the Great Hall of the People.

• U.S. President Donald Trump departed Beijing after a state visit focused on key geopolitical and economic issues, including trade, Taiwan, technology, and Iran. During the visit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held multiple meetings and described the talks as productive and historically significant for bilateral relations.

The Air Force One departed Beijing on Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump on board, bringing to a close a state visit to China lasting less than 48 hours. It marked the second official visit by the American leader to the Asian nation since 2017.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the airport farewell ceremony for the U.S. president, who held two meetings during his stay with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The discussions focused on trade, Taiwan, technology, and Iran.

The farewell ceremony mirrored the formal reception held upon Trump’s arrival on Wednesday evening, featuring a red carpet lined with soldiers and a group of young uniformed participants carrying small Chinese and American flags.

Trump bid farewell to the Chinese and American officials gathered on the tarmac and, after ascending the stairs of Air Force One, turned to deliver his signature raised-fist gesture before entering the aircraft.

Before leaving Beijing, Trump held a smaller-format meeting with Xi on Friday at Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound located next to the Forbidden City and home to the top officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Trump described the visit as “very successful” and “unforgettable.”

According to the Chinese statement, the U.S. president said both sides had reached “a series of important consensuses,” secured “multiple agreements,” and resolved “quite a few issues.”

Xi, for his part, described the visit as “historic” and “symbolic,” adding that both leaders had established a new direction for bilateral relations as a “constructive China-U.S. strategic stability relationship,” which Beijing said is expected to guide ties for the next “three years or more.”

The central events of the visit took place on Thursday, when Xi welcomed Trump with full honors at the Great Hall of the People. The two leaders held talks lasting more than two hours before visiting the Temple of Heaven together and attending a state banquet.

During their first meeting, Xi warned of the risk of a “clash” or even “conflict” if the Taiwan issue is mishandled and emphasized that “there are no winners” in a trade war. Trump, meanwhile, highlighted his positive personal relationship with the Chinese leader. (CubaSí)