Trump appeared eager to avoid escalating the issue. When a reporter later pressed him on the subject, he did not respond directly.

After touring the Temple of Heaven, the 79-year-old president was asked how the earlier closed-door talks had gone. He replied that they were “great” and described China as a “great country.”

However, in an unusual moment of restraint, Trump stayed quiet when asked whether Taiwan had been discussed.

A brief disturbance was reportedly caused by camera crew members during the event.

Xi has long pushed for Taiwan to be reunified with mainland China, although Taiwan currently operates with its own government.