A tense exchange was captured on a hot microphone Thursday as Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's summit began inside the Great Hall of the People.
The Daily Beast reported, as officials entered for high-stakes bilateral talks, a PBS News press pool camera caught an unnamed person with an American accent verbally assaulting the camera operator, cursing and ordering them to leave, adding, "No. Move. Got to move."
The camera spun toward the ceiling as multiple voices spoke nearby and shoe squeaks were audible.
The confrontation occurred amid escalating tensions surrounding the Iran war, China's Taiwan positioning, and years of economic conflict. Despite the dramatic moment, both leaders reportedly left with "positive sentiments."
President Jinping told reporters that Chinese and American relations remained "generally stable," according to The Guardian.
“Both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals.”
The White House statement echoed the diplomatic tone, though concerns did emerged about Trump's blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
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