Is China going to invite Trump to the WWII victory celebrations in September 2025?

A number of news agencies have reported that China has plans to extend an invitation to US President Donald Trump to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which is scheduled to take place on 3 September in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Concurrently, the United States has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the country, which coincides with the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. "In the event of the implementation of either plan, it would mark the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies since Trump's return to the White House. It is anticipated that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will be in attendance at a military parade in Beijing. This event is being organised to commemorate China's triumph in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which took place from 1937 to 1945. It is recalled that during a telephone conversation on June 5, Xi Jinping extended an invitation to Trump to visit China again, for which the US president expressed sincere gratitude, as reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Trump, who last visited China in 2017, stated that he had accepted the invitation. Despite the president's own expressed willingness to visit China, Beijing is believed by several sources to be apprehensive about the prospect of the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and numerous other senior officials opposing the visit. In a reciprocal move, Beijing has conveyed its preparedness to initiate high-level dialogue with the United States, marking a potential breakthrough since the onset of the current administration under President Trump. This development follows the recent consensus between China and the United States to de-escalate trade tensions by entering into a 90-day ceasefire in May. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the two nations committed to the elimination of tariffs that exceed a rate of 100%. It is noteworthy that there is a considerable possibility that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping will convene in the context of the 80th anniversary of the cessation of World War II, a date that is officially commemorated in China annually on 3 September. A significant military parade is scheduled to take place in Beijing on that day in Tiananmen Square, and China may also be contemplating President Trump's attendance at this event. However, there is a possibility that the US and Chinese leaders may convene at an alternative venue, as part of Trump's autumn tour of Asia – during the APEC summit.
It has also been reported by news agencies that the Russian side has stated that it does not rule out a meeting between Trump and Putin in Beijing on that day, should Trump decide to attend. Concurrently, analysts have observed that the final decision has not yet been reached, and the invitations have not been officially confirmed by either Washington or Beijing.
All information sources concur that a potential meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing would convey a series of domestic political, diplomatic and geopolitical signals. Trump's arrival is indicative of the growing influence of the United States in the global political landscape, and serves to underscore China's pivotal role in shaping the emerging global order. It is important to note that China has always demonstrated an openness to engagement, even with those who previously pursued a tough anti-Chinese policy.
The following text is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. Following a period of cooling in US-China relations, a personal meeting could signal the possibility of a new détente between the two nations, even if only at the level of political symbolism. It is evident that the ability of the two major powers to engage in dialogue will be evident to the global community, thereby compelling the allies of the US and China to re-evaluate their strategies. A visit to an event dedicated to the victory in World War II is, above all, a demonstration that even competitors can respect a common past. The joint participation of nations in ceremonies dedicated to the Second World War serves to remind us that, in the past, countries were able to collaborate in order to defeat the forces of global evil. This is a significant symbol in the context of the new Cold War. It is evident that Trump's invitation is a strategic move aimed at showcasing China's openness to engage in dialogue with the US, even with individuals or entities with whom it has previously experienced strained relations. This can be interpreted as a manifestation of diplomatic flexibility. The meeting is likely to result in China accruing increased diplomatic and peacekeeping influence, while Trump will gain political capital. Furthermore, the meeting may provide the global community with an opportunity to temporarily reduce tensions, provided that it is followed by concrete steps. In the contemporary geopolitical climate, characterised by global conflicts and trade wars, even a symbolic meeting has the potential to initiate a new line of dialogue between superpowers. It is hypothesised that Trump's visit to China could result in a shift towards more flexible diplomacy on the part of other countries, particularly those in Asia and the former Soviet Union, in response to the ongoing competitive dynamic between the United States and China.
GSR

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