"Will Trump Meet Xi Jinping… Possibility of Visiting China Around October APEC Summit Raised"

SCMP Cites Sources: "Will Not Attend China’s Victory Day Parade in September"

There is speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump may visit China around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in South Korea in October.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 26th (local time), citing multiple anonymous sources, that Trump is not scheduled to visit China in September, but that both U.S. and Chinese sides are discussing a visit in October or November.

It was further explained that although there are still obstacles to the visit, there is a shared understanding between high-level U.S. and Chinese officials regarding holding the meeting.

Previously, some media had reported that China planned to invite President Trump to the "80th anniversary celebrations of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War (World War II)" on September 3, known as the Victory Day Parade.

Sources stated, "There are currently no considerations for a September visit," adding, "President Trump may visit China before the APEC summit held in South Korea from October 31 to November 1 or have a separate meeting with President Xi during the APEC summit."

Earlier, the two leaders spoke by phone on the 5th of last month, during which President Xi invited President Trump and his wife to China, and President Trump responded by suggesting a visit to the United States by President Xi.

In addition, SCMP reported that President Trump is also expected to visit Asia within the year to attend the Quad (Quad: a security dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India) summit scheduled in India.

Reporter Eunji Cha, Hankyung.com chachacha@hankyung.com