Beijing, May 14: On the second day of his three-day visit, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Temple of Heaven, accompanied by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump was awestruck by the stunning architecture and exclaimed, “This is great,” as they exited the site.
While the media sought his comments regarding Vietnam, Trump remained notably reserved. The two leaders walked through the temple complex, with Xi providing insights about the historical site. Despite attempts from American media to gauge Trump’s reactions, he displayed an unusual calmness.
Both leaders posed for photographs, during which Trump praised China, stating, “Very impressive. A fantastic place. Incredible. China is beautiful.” However, when journalists inquired about Taiwan, both remained silent. Trump did not elaborate on questions related to Taiwan, and when asked about a bilateral meeting, he simply advised to “wait.”
Taiwan has been a point of tension between China and the U.S. The U.S. supplies Taiwan with arms for self-defense, while maintaining strong commercial ties with China.
Vietnam has designated both superpowers, China and the U.S., as “Comprehensive Strategic Partners.” The country employs a “Bamboo Diplomacy” approach, remaining flexible while firmly upholding its national interests and principles. This strategy allows Vietnam to maintain balanced relations with major nations like China and the U.S. without overtly favoring one side.
Chinese diplomats typically choose historical sites for welcoming foreign leaders not just for show, but to convey symbolic messages about their expectations for bilateral relations.
The Temple of Heaven dates back to the era of the Forbidden City, which Trump visited during his previous state visit in 2017. This historic complex was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed for good harvests. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is over 600 years old.
According to UNESCO, the temple was constructed in 1420 during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty and was used for royal religious ceremonies and prayers for good harvests. It is one of China’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.
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