Top US diplomat in meeting with Chinese President

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Pool via AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has met Chinese President Xi Jinping as the top US diplomat wrapped up a two-day visit to Beijing aimed at easing soaring tensions between the countries.

The meeting at the Great Hall of the People had been expected and was seen as key to the success of the trip, but neither side confirmed it would happen until a US official announced it an hour beforehand.