U.S. President Donald Trump appealed directly to China's Xi Jinping to free jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai when the two leaders met in South Korea last week, according to three people briefed on the talks and a U.

BANGKOK (AP) — China has commissioned its latest aircraft carrier after extensive sea trials, state media reported Friday, adding a ship that experts say will help what is already the world’s largest navy expand its power farther beyond its own waters.

Xi Jinping is not known for his easy smiles. China’s most powerful Communist leader in decades has built a reputation reinforced by state media during his 12-year rule as a serious and steady hand.

The images, captured during the US-China summit in South Korea, have gone viral, revealing a side of Xi that most Chinese citizens have never seen.

Great pleasure to see you again,” Xi told Trump as they shook hands ahead of opening remarks at a South Korean air base after nearly a year of tit-for-tat tariff and trade escalations.

Chinese leader meets Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing just days after his summit with US President Donald Trump.