American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on
2-MIN READ2-MINOrange WangPublished: 6:00pm, 3 May 2026Two American military cargo aircraft have been spotted landing in Beijing – another apparent sign that US President Donald Trump’s trip to China will go ahead as expected this month.According to images posted on Chinese social media by several aviation photography enthusiasts, the C-17 US Air Force heavy-lifters – bearing the tail numbers 088204 and 055140 on their vertical stabilisers – arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Friday and Saturday.
The planes’ arrival was also noted on Saturday by Armchair Admiral, a Britain-based social media channel that tracks air force aircraft movements, which added that two more C-17 aircraft appeared to be “en route” to the country at the time.
