Xi Jinping

"It's pretty notable that Xi Jinping is coming to Washington in the same week as the UNGA, but does not feel bothered to come up to New York," said Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group.

According to WSJ, citing Iranian customs data, China has shipped around 1,300 shipments to Iran's defense ministry containing "dual-use" components and chemical compounds.

Xi's visit will include a statedinner with tech luminaries, a White House military ceremony including jet flyovers, and a visit to the National Archives.

Youlin Chen, 54, is one of two Americans held by Beijing whom the US has designated as "wrongfully detained," making their release a top priority.

China’s ambassador to the US warned of 'red lines' on Taiwan and human rights that cannot be crossed, speaking ahead of this week’s Washington meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Nearly 130 heads of state meet with the post-World War Two order under strain and with the UN itself struggling to remain relevant and weathering attacks from Trump.

Proposals include redlining nuclear systems, requiring human control over consequential cyberattacks, and establishing a hotline for incidents involving autonomous AI.

Xi will likely press Trump on Taiwan during their expected summit on September 24, and even a subtle change in US rhetoric could embolden Beijing and risk the region's fragile peace.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit China on Wednesday.

"They basically do what we do," President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "When they say China spies on us, I say you're right, and we spy on them too."