China confirms talks on possible Xi-Trump-Putin meeting at Shenzhen APEC summit

China has confirmed discussions are underway for a potential trilateral meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin, possibly on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen this month. This marks the first official acknowledgment of such talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated Beijing is communicating with relevant parties, though no final arrangements have been announced. Trump is expected to meet Xi amid a fragile trade truce expiring in January, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging China to fulfill commitments on agricultural purchases and rare earths. The proposed gathering faces diplomatic complications due to disagreements over Ukraine and other issues, with Putin reportedly interested in discussing the war without Ukrainian representatives. Analysts suggest the meeting may hold symbolic value but produce no major agreements, serving primarily as a high-profile diplomatic photo opportunity.