Trump Admire's Beijing's Roses as Xi Promises Seeds

COLOMBO (News 1st); Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump began their meeting at Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound of the Chinese Communist Party widely regarded as the country’s equivalent of the White House.

The vast compound spans about 1,500 acres, including roughly 700 acres of lake, along with pavilions, offices, and meticulously maintained gardens. Surrounded by a centuries-old red ochre wall, Zhongnanhai remains one of China’s most secretive locations, monitored by numerous CCTV cameras and guarded by security forces in both plain clothes and uniform.

The meeting opened with Xi and Trump seen conversing as the US president admired the compound’s landscaped gardens. Moments later, a Chinese official instructed reporters to step back, noting that the two leaders intended to hold a private discussion.

The gardens themselves are compact yet carefully curated, featuring low walls, traditional Chinese roofs, winding paths, and roses in shades of pink, yellow, and red. Manicured lawns and neatly tended trees add to the tranquil setting, where birdsong can be heard, a stark contrast to much of bustling Beijing.

Following a brief private discussion lasting about 10 minutes away from the press, the two leaders resumed their engagement with a stroll through the gardens. When asked by a reporter if he was enjoying the visit, Trump responded with a thumbs up, while Chinese minders reiterated “no questions.”

Both leaders then proceeded through a covered passageway lined with green columns and archways decorated with birds and traditional mountain scenes, making their way to a small square where they posed for photographs.

Later, Trump and Xi sat together in an ornate pavilion. Speaking through a translator, Xi shared details about the history of Zhongnanhai, which once served as an imperial garden. The meeting was attended by key US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

During the conversation, Xi revealed he would be sending rose seeds to Trump. Trump, in turn, said that the two leaders had reached “fantastic trade deals.”

The discussion also touched on the age of the compound’s trees. Xi noted that most of the trees date back two to three hundred years, while one prominent tree nearby is approximately four hundred years old.

As the visit drew on, Trump expressed clear admiration for the setting, remarking to Xi, “Nice place. I like it. I could get used to this.”