China in talks to host trilateral Xi-Putin-Trump meeting in Shenzhen

China has confirmed it is in talks to host a historic meeting between President Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump, potentially on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen this month. The gathering would mark a rare trilateral encounter among the three leaders. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was "in communication with relevant parties" about the meeting. Experts noted the leaders' interests are at odds, making substantive discussions unlikely, with China carefully choreographing the event for its image while avoiding costs. The summit includes the US and Russia, with Trump expected to meet Xi for a third time this year amid a fragile trade truce expiring in January. Russia seeks to advance its Ukraine stance, while China would avoid arms control or Ukraine talks, focusing on diplomatic refrains.