Beijing — Chinese security officials barred a U.S. Secret Service agent from entering the Temple of Heaven with a service weapon during President Donald Trump's bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, sparking an hours-long standoff that delayed the event, according to the White House press pool.
The incident occurred as Trump wrapped the first full day of his two-day trip to China, his first visit to the country in nearly nine years. The press pool reported that the entry into the event site was held up for roughly 90 minutes due to what officials described as an “intense discussion” between American and Chinese authorities. The Chinese security team refused to allow the agent to bring the weapon into the temple, a historic site in the Chinese capital.
After negotiations, both sides reached a compromise, the pool noted, though specific terms were not disclosed. The delay underscores the delicate security protocols that accompany high-stakes diplomatic engagements, particularly when they involve sensitive locations like the Temple of Heaven.
The meeting between Trump and Xi marked their first face-to-face encounter since October. According to a White House readout, the two leaders discussed trade, business, the Iran conflict, and the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese officials also confirmed that Xi warned Trump about Washington's stance on Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing considers part of its territory.
Trump later hosted Xi at a state banquet, where he extended an invitation for the Chinese leader to visit Washington on September 24. The invitation signals an effort to maintain dialogue despite ongoing tensions over trade and regional security.
The security incident adds to a series of logistical hurdles that have shadowed Trump's foreign trips. In a related development, GOP senators have pushed back on a proposed $1 billion security plan for Trump's White House ballroom, highlighting broader concerns about the costs and coordination of presidential security.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also faced legal challenges over its foreign policy moves. A federal judge recently blocked Trump's sanctions on a UN rights investigator, citing free speech violations, a ruling that could complicate the president's approach to international diplomacy.
Trump's China visit comes amid heightened scrutiny of his administration's trade policies, with the president expected to press Xi on market access for U.S. CEOs accompanying him to Beijing. The outcome of those discussions remains uncertain, but the security standoff at the Temple of Heaven serves as a reminder of the friction that can arise even during carefully choreographed state visits.
