Behind the scenes of President Donald Trump's high-stakes summit in China, chaos has erupted, with a White House staffer trampled and members of the US Secret Service involved in a tense standoff with Chinese officials.
Staffer Trampled by Chinese Journalists
On Thursday morning, a group of Chinese journalists reportedly stormed into Trump's meeting with President Xi Jinping, knocking over and stepping on a White House aide. The aide was not seriously injured, but the incident sparked protests from American officials.
Secret Service Standoff at Temple
Later, a Secret Service agent accompanying the press corps was barred from entering a historic Beijing temple because he was carrying a firearm. Chinese security refused entry, leading to a heated dispute between US and Chinese officials. The press corps was delayed and briefly held in a holding room, with one American reporter shouting, "We have to go!" The US delegation then ran across the square to reach Trump's motorcade.
The standoff contrasted with the public interactions between Trump and Xi, who toured the temple peacefully. However, earlier in the day, Xi warned that the two countries could "come into conflict" if bilateral relations are mishandled, according to a two-hour meeting.
The behind-the-scenes dramas have been described as a "s***show" by observers, highlighting the tensions beneath the surface of the state visit.
