The first visit of a US president to China in nine years was always going to be a significant event, given the political and economic tensions between the two major superpowers in recent years.Contentious issues, including the three Ts of trade, Tehran and Taiwan, loomed large over Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as they cut a path through Beijing.But the pair, at least initially, appeared to be focused on projecting an aura of stability and friendlier ties.That was clear from the very start of the high-stakes summit, when Trump stepped off Air Force One on Wednesday night and descended the stairs to a military honour guard at Beijing airport. Also waiting to greet the US leader was China's Vice-President, Han Zheng, and other officials.Today, the pomp and ceremony continued as Trump and Xi met on the red carpet at the Great Hall of the People, before taking part in a bilateral meeting and a tour of the Temple of Heaven.From a red carpet welcome to a high-profile tech entourage and a pointed reference to Taiwan, here are the main takeaways.Beijing pulls out all the stopsIn a sign of immense respect, Xi accompanied Trump to the Temple of Heaven.The visit to the temple came after their bilateral meeting and signalled the relationship, and the event itself, was of great importance to Xi and China.The leaders appeared to be making the most of an opportunity to stabilise relations, and these images from the temple visit suggest the day went relatively well.Xi Jinping escorted US President Donald Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. (Reuters: Evan Vucci)China's state media had previously devoted considerable time to painting the United States as a reckless, chaotic and out-of-control superpower, but Trump didn't face the same level of criticism in the lead-up to his visit.Observers believed this was a strategic decision to keep relations stable between the two leaders and to ensure the summit went as smoothly as possible.Security and protective measures were also stepped up on the streets of Beijing this week to prevent any potential mishaps. Side streets were closed off, barriers put up and, in some areas, one guard was lined up every 15 metres.Security has been beefed up across Beijing, including at Tiananmen Square. (Reuters: Go Nakamura)Some of the media covering the event were caught out by the tighter security, with Fox News issued a ticket for parking on the street for too long. The ABC was also asked to move on by officials.But there were no mishaps when Trump arrived at the Great Hall this morning to a red carpet lined with smiling children holding flowers and American flags.The US leader seemed awed by the display as he met Xi with a long handshake and a brief chat, before posing for a photo.One of the few awkward moments from the day's events occurred when a Chinese military band began playing the American anthem.Donald Trump salutes while the US anthem is played. (AP)Trump, who had been taking in the grand scene around him, raised his hand and saluted in front of the People's Liberation Army.China's leader more reserved as Trump lavishes praise on XiXi opened the talks with Trump in the Great Hall of the People by touching on the "Thucydides Trap", a popular theory that suggests an established power and a rising power are destined to clash.As he sat directly across from Trump in the centre of a long oval table, Xi noted: "The world has reached a new crossroads.""Whether China and the United States can transcend the so-called Thucydides Trap and forge a new paradigm for engagement between major powers, whether we can work together to address global challenges and bring greater stability to the world, whether we can jointly create a brighter future for bilateral relations — these are questions of history, questions of the world, and questions of the people," he said.The Chinese leader also said he had always believed that the "common interests shared by China and the United States far outweigh our differences"."When the two sides cooperate, both benefit. When they confront each other, both suffer," he said.Trump, meanwhile, spoke glowingly about the welcome ceremony he received and also the relationship between China and the US."It's an honour to be with you, it's an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," he said.He also heaped praise on his Chinese counterpart."You're a great leader. I say it to everybody. You're a great leader. Sometimes people don't like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it's true," Trump added.Xi issues a warning on TaiwanDuring the bilateral meeting, Xi touched on the issue of Taiwan, according to China's state media CCTV."The Taiwan issue is the most critical issue in US-China relations," he said.The island of Taiwan is democratically governed, claimed by China, and armed by the United States.Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Donald Trump on the red carpet at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing.