From Sunnylands to Yingtai

The development of China-US relations in recent years has been marked by important private meetings between the heads of both countries. Analysts say such encounters help improve the relationship.

One instance was in June 2013, when President Xi Jinping, on his way home from a tour of three Latin American countries, paid a visit to the United States. There he met with US President Barack Obama at Sunnylands, California, a retreat used by US and other world leaders.

Amid more formal meetings, Xi and Obama took a stroll on the estate for about 50 minutes, talking unaccompanied by their advisers.