With Donald Trump weaker and Xi Jinping stronger, what will happen when US and Chinese leaders meet in Beijing?

US President Donald Trump’s arrival in Beijing on Wednesday at the start of his maiden China trip marks the first test of President Xi Jinping’s consolidated power following his proclamation of a “new era” for his country and the Communist Party last month.

Despite intense behind-the-scenes negotiations and wrangling in the lead-up to Trump’s high-stakes visit, which will last less than 48 hours but has widely been viewed as the fulcrum of his two-week Asia tour, both leaders will be keen to guarantee their third sit-down summit is a trouble-free one.

Xi has just completed a major power reshuffle that elevated his position and made his control over the party and China stronger than ever. He now has his men in all key positions and will receive Trump on his home turf as the strongest Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping or even Mao Zedong.

Trump, meanwhile, is bogged down in a domestic political quagmire, facing accusations and challenges from all sides, and is a weaker figure than at the two leaders’ first summit meeting in Florida in April. His team is also divided and lacks leadership, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson marginalised, and his foreign policy lacking clarity and focus.

But given the United States is still the stronger partner in the relationship, China will have to host him with the utmost care, hoping all the trappings will satisfy his ego and make for a more fruitful dialogue.

According to diplomats and observers, the two alpha males, representing the dominant world power and a rising challenger under its most powerful leader in recent decades, will be all smiles in front of the cameras despite their looming rivalry for global leadership.