AS IT HAPPENED: Trump says Iran war 'to be continued'; Chinese vessels allowed to pass through Strait of Hormuz; Trump hits back over China claim US is declining

Taiwan's military has grown used to the daily task of tracking Chinese warplanes buzzing around the island. Some days there are a handful. On others, many more.

But in the last 24 hours - from Thursday morning local time - as US President Donald Trump kicked off his state visit to Beijing and held important talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the aircraft suddenly stopped coming.

No Chinese warplanes were detected in "airspace around Taiwan" although seven Chinese navy vessels were found to operate in waters "around Taiwan," the island's defence ministry said on Friday.

China's ruling Communist Party has vowed to "reunify" with self-governing and democratic Taiwan. Xi has not ruled out using military force to do so, and over the past five years, Beijing has dramatically increased the number of aircraft it sends near the island.

There was a two-week silence from Chinese warplanes in late February into March, the longest streak since Taiwan began publicly releasing daily military data.

The sudden quiet then puzzled analysts and raised a range of possible explanations.

One theory was that Beijing could have been trying to avoid escalating tensions ahead of Trump's meeting with Xi originally planned for March, which was later postponed.

Thanks for following our live coverage of US politics and the conflict in the Middle East.

Here is a recap of today's key developments:

- US President Donald Trump has met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for his second and final day of talks in Beijing.

- A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry has called for the ceasefire in the Iran war to continue.

- Iran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic overtures from China's government.

- A fresh bid by US legislators to rein in Trump's ability to launch further attacks against Iran has just narrowly failed to pass.

- Australians heading to Europe should expect more expensive short-haul flights, driven by the war's fuel crisis, to last for months.

Trump is heading to Beijing Capital International Airport after a lunch with Xi.

The US President has told reporters "a lot of good" came from his "incredible" visit to China.

"We've settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn't have been able to solve," he said.

"We've made some fantastic trade deals for both countries."

Trump told reporters the US and China "feel very similar" about the Iran war following his tour of Zhongnanhai.

"We want that to end, and we don't want them to have a nuclear weapon," he said.

"We want the straits open.

"We want them to get it ended because it's a crazy thing there, a little bit crazy.

"It's no good, it can't happen, they cannot have a nuclear weapon."

Trump joined Xi for a tour of the gardens inside the Zhongnanhai compound this morning.

During the 10-minute walk, US president reportedly told the Chinese leader "these are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen".

Xi said he would send Trump the seeds for the Chinese roses as a gift.

"I love that, it's great," Trump said.

Trump joined Xi Jinping at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound ahead of a second round of talks this morning.

While large delegations attended the first day of discussions yesterday, both sides brought smaller contingents today.

Trump was joined by secretary of state Marco Rubio, defence secretary Pete Hegseth, treasury secretary Scott Bessent, US trade representative Jamieson Greer and US ambassador to China David Perdue.

Xi was joined by his chief of staff Cai Qi, foreign affairs minister Wang Yi, vice premier He Lifeng, vice minister of foreign affairs Ma Zhaoxu and China ambassador to the US Xie Feng.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry has encouraged the continuation of the ceasefire in the Iran war.

When asked about talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, the spokesperson said the war 'should have never happened' and shipping routes must re-open.

"This war, which should never have happened, has no need to continue," they said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

"Finding an early path to resolution would benefit both the US and Iran, as well as countries in the region and the world as a whole.

"The maritime routes should be reopened as soon as possible in response to the calls of the international community, and joint efforts should be made to safeguard the stability and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains."

- With CNN

Trump has expressed his appreciation for the lavish welcome he received in China.

"We were treated very well," he told Fox News.

"If I got out of a plane and nobody was there to greet me, I would say that wouldn't be so cool because it's really respect for our country.

"Our country is respected."

Trump added the trip would go down as "a great moment of respect".

Here are some highlights from Trump's pre-recorded interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, after his first meeting with Xi in Beijing.

Among them are remarks from the president about his relationship with his host.

Trump believes the Chinese leader is "a warm person".

"But he's all business. ... There's no games," Trump adds. "That's a good thing."

Trump went on to say that if Hollywood were to cast an actor to play Xi in a film, "you couldn't find a guy like him".

He also remarked about the height of Xi.

"He's tall, very tall. And, especially for this country because they tend to be a little bit shorter."

A White House official has confirmed a Chinese military at an official dinner yesterday broke into a tune that Donald Trump has made his signature walk-off song: the disco hit, Y.M.C.A.

The 1970s song by The Village People was played during a private portion of the dinner, the official confirmed.

The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the details of the private portion of the dinner.

Trump closes his campaign rallies and most official events with the song, which he dances to while throwing slight fist pumps into the air.

- With Associated Press