Xi Rest Breaks Cut Trump Summit Schedule, WSJ Reports

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s delegation requested extended rest periods during his recent Washington summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, reducing the time available for meetings between the two leaders, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Chinese officials asked the White House to provide Xi with a private room in the West Wing where he could rest between scheduled events. Only Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, was permitted to accompany him in the room, according to people familiar with preparations for the visit.

Beijing also rejected plans for a working lunch between Trump and Xi on Sept. 24, the summit’s only full day, saying the Chinese leader needed additional downtime. The adjustments created an approximately five-hour gap in the schedule during Xi’s visit, which lasted less than two days.

Xi had no scheduled activities on the evening he arrived in Washington after a roughly 14-hour flight from Beijing. On Sept. 25, his visit to the National Archives lasted only about 10 minutes, considerably shorter than U.S. officials had initially planned.

The bilateral White House meeting on Sept. 24 began around noon and concluded by early afternoon. Xi subsequently left the White House before returning for a state dinner that evening, leaving a relatively limited window for substantive discussions between the leaders.

The Journal reported that Xi’s schedule also took into account how long he could stand or walk and when breaks would be required. During public appearances, Xi was seen moving cautiously, including holding Peng’s hand while navigating aircraft stairs and steps at the National Archives.

Some of the scheduling decisions could have reflected jet lag following Xi’s lengthy journey. Analysts cited by the Journal said they had not observed evidence of cognitive decline in his public appearances.

The report also renewed attention on China’s leadership succession because Xi has not publicly designated a successor. He remains Communist Party general secretary, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission.