China rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump with spectacular welcome in Beijing

US President Donald Trump was given a warm welcome following his arrival in Beijing, China, ahead of a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

Despite Jinping not welcoming Trump upon his arrival, Vice President Han Zheng greeted the president, an upgrade from his initial visit in 2017.

US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights founder, Isabelle Vladoiu, claimed China's vice president greeting Trump is an "upgrade" from nine years ago.

"Xi Jinping did not personally greet Trump at the airport in 2017 either, but this time Beijing noticeably upgraded the reception by sending Vice President Han Zheng along with both ambassadors and senior foreign affairs officials," Vladoiu said.

Vladoiu revealed Vice President Zheng's greeting of Trump indicated the "greater strategic and geopolitical weight" of the trip.