Tense Standoffs Mar Trump-Xi Visit in Beijing

Chinese officials blocked a U.S. Secret Service agent from entering the 15th-century Temple of Heaven in Beijing with his firearm on Thursday, triggering a roughly 30-minute standoff that delayed the presidential press pool, reporters said.

The standoff occurred during President Donald Trump's two-day state visit with Xi Jinping, during which the White House said the leaders discussed Iran, energy security, fentanyl controls and market access.

U.S. delegation members refused to proceed without the armed agent and another cleared Secret Service officer escorted reporters inside while the first agent remained outside, reporters said.

Reporters described other clashes including Chinese reporters knocking down a White House advance aide who was bruised and shaken but not seriously injured, and American journalists being blocked from joining the motorcade.

Pool accounts said a compromise eventually allowed entry and that, as far as reporters knew, the presidential schedule was not changed despite the delays and disputes.