During a meeting in Beijing, Donald Trump engaged in a handshake with Xi Jinping that reportedly included a subtle five-tap code, according to insights from a body language expert.

On Thursday, Trump was welcomed with grandeur at Tiananmen Square, where his motorcade was met by precision-marching troops and the booming sound of cannon fire.

Judi James, a body language specialist, shared with the Daily Mail that the handshake unveiled the true power dynamics between the two leaders. She noted that Trump inadvertently revealed his intentions with a distinctive ‘bullfrog smile’ as he first made eye contact with Xi.

Despite Xi being the host, it was Trump who initiated the handshake, James explained.

“Trump extended his hand first, palm facing upward, from several steps away,” James noted. “Typically, the host initiates the handshake to assert early dominance, but in this case, it was Trump who took the lead.”

The pair gripped each other’s hands for a full ten seconds, with Trump giving Xi a sequence of small, deliberate pats that James said carried diplomatic weight. 

‘When the hands are juddering together Trump pats Xi’s hand, twice at first, then three times with the first of the third pats being prolonged in a move that suggests a desire to cement the relationship,’ James said. 

Yet the mood, she added, was nothing like the warmth on display when Vladimir Putin visited China last year. 

Trump walked over to Xi, who was waiting by the steps, and the pair shook hands, with Trump warmly patting the Chinese leader’s hand as they exchanged a few words

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14

‘Trump used strong, enquiring-looking eye contact as they engaged in some chat … with none of the joking, animated playfulness that we saw during Putin’s visit,’ she said.

It is Trump’s first face-to-face with Xi since the Iran war erupted on February 28, sending global oil prices skyrocketing.

The formality thawed as flag-waving children greeted Trump, who broke into a grin and applauded them.

‘He then began to use a series of approval, bonding pats on Xi’s arm as they walked together to increase the idea of friendship,’ James said.

Inside the Great Hall, Xi opened the talks with an ominous reference to the so-called Thucydides Trap, the ancient Greek historian’s account of Athens and Sparta, and the danger when an established power feels threatened by a rising civilization.

‘The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the US overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm?’ Xi asked Trump across the table.

During their two-hour summit, Xi warned Trump that if Taiwan is ‘mishandled’ the US and China ‘will clash, or even come into conflict, pushing the entire relationship into a very dangerous situation,’ state media channel CCTV reported. 

Trump was effusive before the closed-door summit got underway, praising the pageantry of his welcome as ‘an honor like few have ever seen before.’

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in an expanded bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14

Xi Jinping speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People on May 14

Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 14

U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by children during a ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, stands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

‘It’s an honor to be with you, it’s an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,’ he told Xi. 

The setting for their grand summit told its own story, James said.

‘The meeting room was huge but the layout of the tables was actually relatively intimate by normal Chinese government standards, suggesting a desire from Xi to indulge in more direct and functional face-to-face discussions,’ she added.

Trump’s posture once seated revealed his game face, according to James.

‘Trump adopted a pose of a relaxed but serious heavyweight alpha at the table, sitting hunched forward with his hands hidden beneath the table,’ she said. 

The visit was originally slated for March but was postponed when the war broke out.

In a recent development, Iran has claimed the deployment of small submarines, described as “invisible guardians,” to patrol the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes in the wake of several thwarted peace negotiations between Tehran and Washington, as per various reports.

While Iran’s Ghadir-class mini-submarines are perceived as potential threats to U.S. naval operations, experts note that their limited reach, firepower, and operational endurance significantly reduce their strategic effectiveness.

The news of this submarine deployment was initially reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency and subsequently covered by Bloomberg.

According to Iranian state media, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of Iran’s navy, announced that the deployment included light submarines, affectionately dubbed the “dolphins of the Persian Gulf.”

Iran claims that it has deployed small submarines to act as an “invisible guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. (Vahid Reza Alaei / AFP via Getty Images, File)

It also comes as Tehran seeks to reinforce its control over the strait, now defining it as a far larger zone, Reuters reported.

“Time would be limited, probably a couple of days at the most,” defense analyst Tom Shugart told Fox News Digital about the Iranian vessel deployment.

The retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer also said the small diesel-electric submarines face fundamental operational constraints.

U.S. Marines aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) stand watch in the Arabian Sea during naval blockade operations against Iran. (U.S. Central Command)

“If they run their diesel engines to snorkel and recharge batteries, that could generate sound that could be detected,” Shugart said.

“Their snorkel mast projecting from the water could be detected by radars on patrol aircraft or helicopters,” Shugart added.

The submarines are said to be designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz and can operate quietly for limited periods on battery power.

“While they may be able to sit on the bottom for a while and operate somewhat quietly on their batteries for a while, they have no air-independent propulsion system (AIP) like more modern diesel-electric submarines,” Shugart said before adding that they’ll, “eventually have to come up and snorkel. This will make them more vulnerable to detection and destruction.”

A navy vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz. (Sahar Al Attar / AFP via Getty Images)

The IRGC Navy is said to be the sole operator of this class of submarine, all of which serve in the Southern Fleet.

“Any remaining Ghadirs, if they exist and are actually deployed, may be able to lay mines and may be able to threaten merchant ships,” Shugart warned.

“But I don’t see them as a serious threat to U.S. Navy warships — and certainly not to U.S. submarines,” he said.

“But I can say for sure that I wouldn’t want to go out on one in the current environment.”

The U.S. Navy confirmed May 10 that a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-armed submarine had arrived in Gibraltar.

“The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility and continuing commitment to its NATO allies,” U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs said in a statement.

“Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad,” it added.

Meanwhile, Shugart’s remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with commercial tanker traffic largely choked off amid ongoing military activity and the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

The United Arab Emirates and South Korea reported new strikes on stranded vessels Wednesday, while the IRGC increased its fast-attack craft activity, according to reports.

President Donald Trump has maintained Iran’s navy is “completely obliterated.”

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Late Wednesday night, the usually somber halls of the Philippine Senate were shattered by the sound of gunfire, leading to pandemonium as authorities attempted to detain a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The incident is linked to a contentious crackdown on illegal drugs that resulted in numerous deaths.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swiftly addressed the nation, urging citizens to remain composed during this unsettling event.

The circumstances surrounding the gunfire remain unclear. The shots were fired amid efforts by law enforcement to apprehend Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, gained notoriety for his role in implementing ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s aggressive anti-drug campaign, which claimed thousands of lives, predominantly those of minor offenders, between 2016 and 2018.

In response to the ICC’s actions, several senators have rallied around dela Rosa, placing him under “protective custody” since Monday, following his return after a prolonged period of absence.

The incident unfolded while a number of senators were still in the building after a legislative session. The sudden eruption of gunfire was witnessed by numerous journalists, including two representatives from The Associated Press. Security forces, heavily armed and on high alert, quickly moved through the premises, eventually instructing staff to vacate as the situation gradually de-escalated.

Senate President Alan Cayetano briefly appeared before journalists in the Senate shortly after the shots were fired but could not provide details.

“The emotions are high here,” Cayetano said. “This is the Senate of the Philippines, and we are allegedly under attack.”

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. later arrived with top police officials and said he was deployed by the president to secure the senators. He said he did not come to arrest dela Rosa, who remained in the building.

Investigation launched

An investigation was underway, and security cameras would be reviewed to find out who was behind the gunfire and their intentions, Remulla said.

On Monday, the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa.

Originally issued in November, the warrant charges dela Rosa with the crime against humanity of murder of “no less than 32 persons” between July 2016 and the end of April 2018, when he led the national police force under Duterte.

The ICC had no immediate comment on the events in Manila.

Dela Rosa, 64, has vowed to fight the ICC arrest order. He called on his followers Wednesday night to gather in the Senate to prevent what he said was his impending arrest.

National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to arrest dela Rosa on Monday, but he managed to dash to the Senate’s plenary hall and sought the help of fellow senators. Cayetano said then that he would cite the government agents involved for contempt.

Duterte was arrested in March last year and flown to the ICC’s headquarters in The Hague. He is still in detention in the Netherlands and faces a trial in the killings from his crackdown, in which dela Rosa has also been accused.

“We should not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague, the second one after President Duterte,” dela Rosa said, addressing his followers in a Facebook message and blaming politics for his predicament.

“This is unacceptable,” dela Rosa said.

He said he was ready to face any allegations before Philippine courts, but he denied condoning extrajudicial killings when he led the police force. Duterte has also made the same denials, although he openly threatened suspected drug dealers with death while in office.

Police deployed outside Senate

Hundreds of police officers have been deployed outside the Senate since Monday to maintain order, sparking complaints from dela Rosa and allied senators.

“If I have something to answer for, I will face those in our local courts and not before foreigners,” dela Rosa told reporters in the Senate.

Five senators called on dela Rosa to surrender to authorities in a proposed resolution, but his allies opposed the move in a heated exchange Wednesday in the Senate, where 13 of 24 senators friendly to dela Rosa wrested control of its leadership on Monday.

Duterte and his daughter, the current vice president, and political allies such as dela Rosa have been the harshest critics of Marcos.

Vice President Sara Duterte, once a political ally of Marcos, has blamed the president for allowing what she said was “the kidnapping” of her father and his handover to a foreign court.

Sara Duterte has recently been impeached by the House of Representatives, which is dominated by the allies of Marcos, over accusations that included unexplained wealth and threats to have the president assassinated if she herself were killed amid their political disputes. The Senate was preparing to convene into a tribunal to try the vice president.

Disputes reflect deep division in Philippine politics

The disputes reflect the deep divisions that have long plagued the rambunctious Asian democracy.

After winning the presidency in 2016, Duterte appointed dela Rosa, a loyal ally, as head of the national police force, which enforced the brutal campaign against illegal drugs that alarmed Western governments, including the United States and human rights groups.

Dela Rosa also once headed the police force in the southern city of Davao, where Duterte was a longtime mayor and built a political name for his extra-tough approach to crime.

“My role was to lead the war on drugs, and that war on drugs was not meant to annihilate people,” dela Rosa said when he was asked about the huge death toll.

“When the lives of police officers came under threat, of course they needed to defend themselves,” dela Rosa said.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 in a move human rights activists say was aimed at escaping accountability.

The ICC, however, said that it retained jurisdiction over crimes committed when the Philippines was still a member and successfully moved to have him arrested, the first former Asian leader to fall into such disgrace.

___

Associated Press Writer Mike Corder contributed to this report from The Hague, Netherlands.

He’s the ruler of the realm.

During the historic summit in Beijing on Wednesday, President Trump did not appear daunted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a body language expert. This analyst likened Trump’s assertive demeanor to that of a lion.

“Trump exudes power and sees this meeting as significant. He is not at all intimidated by Xi. Much like a peacock or a lion, he’s displaying his strength,” explained Lillian Glass, a Florida-based body language expert known for her work in federal and state courts on behavioral analysis, in an interview with The Post.

Glass elaborated that Trump’s confidence was genuine, noting his “very straight” and military-like posture as evidence of his self-assurance.

“He was intensely focused,” the expert added.

Glass noted that during the grand ceremonial at the Great Hall of the People, which marked the president’s first visit to China since 2017, Trump mixed power moves with genuine displays of affection toward Xi. 

“Trump was very friendly with patting him,” she said. “They were in close proximity with each other. There were a lot of smiles.”

The back pats were a “power move” but also served as “an affection move.”

“I think there’s some genuine affection between the two,” Glass said. “I think they really do like each other, you could tell.”

The body language expert observed that Xi patted Trump on the back as well, an indication that there was “a mutual connection there.” 

“It wasn’t all Trump taking over; it was mutual.”

While Trump looked “very formidable,” his back-and-forth with Xi suggested “a warmth between them.” 

Follow The Post’s live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis

“The fact that they were walking in sync, the fact that [Trump] patted [Xi] a lot on his back, and he had his hand on Trump’s back – that was a very good thing,” Glass said, explaining that Trump and Xi matching each other stride-for-stride means “they’re like-minded” and “pretty much on the same page.”

The expert also took note of Trump’s physical stamina – walking at a good clip, going up the Great Hall’s massive steps – arguing it should put to rest any concerns about the president’s health. 

“He walked pretty well up those stairs,” Glass said. “I think that destroys any myths [about his health]. He certainly was formidable and walked quite a long distance.”

“He had a good pace. He walked straight. So anybody that’s accusing him of a neurological problem needs to look at themselves, because let me tell you, there’s nothing neurologically impaired about him.” 

Finally, Glass observed that during the handshake line with the US delegation, Xi took a particular interest in one Trump administration official – White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.  

“Don’t know if they knew each other, but there was a connection there,” Glass said, noting that Xi spent more time with him than any other US official in the ropeline. 

Joan Collins became a worldwide sensation in 1981 when she took on the role of the cunning Alexis Colby in the popular prime-time soap opera, Dynasty.

Nearly fifty years later, Collins continues to defy time, maintaining her vibrant and youthful appearance.

At 92 years old, the actress demonstrated that age is just a number when she graced the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival with her presence on Tuesday, exuding true Hollywood allure.

Attending the opening ceremony, Joan showcased her timeless style in a stunning white gown, complemented by a sparkling diamond necklace and elegant black gloves.

Throughout her illustrious career, Joan Collins has achieved a level of success that many actresses aspire to, all while retaining her fresh and ageless charm.

So, what is the secret behind Joan’s remarkable youthfulness? The Daily Mail finds out.

Joan Collins has proven that true Hollywood glamour knows no age as she made a dazzling appearance at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday

The star has had a career most can only dream of – and has done it while continuing to look fresh and youthful as the years pass by (pictured with husband Percy Gibson on Wednesday)

While she has been captivating audiences for decades, her fitness and nutrition has been just and enduring (pictured in 1994)

While she has been captivating audiences for decades, her fitness and nutrition have been just as enduring. 

‘My exercise regime has changed a lot over the years. I was very active as a young girl. From the time I was 16, I went to discotheques, dance halls, and nightclubs and danced the night away for hours and hours,’ she told Platinum magazine.

After that, she would do a lot of gym workouts and Pilates, but admitted as you get old you ‘cannot put that amount of stress on your body’.

In fact, she had to scale back her movement in recent years due to a trapped nerve, which led to her not being able to function for about two months.

However, with the help of physiotherapy, she has been able to fully recover.

Joan described physiotherapy as an essential part of her daily routine and staying active in later life in general.

She told My Weekly magazine: ‘I highly recommend working out with a physiotherapist for older men and women who want to stay fit. 

‘Half an hour a day is mostly what I do and I’ve found that it gives me energy.’ 

Her philosophy of ‘little and often’ also applies to her practice of swimming regularly.

Staying so active has kept her limber and mobile, and she has revealed on numerous occasions that she is still able to do the splits. 

‘I do the splits very easily,’ she said on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour.

When it comes to food, Joan tends to favour nutritious whole foods, and even eats an avocado every day.

‘I eat an avocado every day and have facials in New York with a girl called Tracie Martyn. She works a lot of oxygen into my skin,’ she told The Express.

Avocados are highly nutritious and offer healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and essential nutrients.

They improve heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol, support digestive health and promote satiety for weight management.  

Joan has often said that she stays away from junk food and credits her youthful appearance to a balanced diet – but without denying herself life’s pleasures, including a glass of fizz or pudding if she wants it.

Speaking previously to the Daily Mail, she once said: ‘The quality of what you eat is as important as the quality of the products you use’.

‘I try to eat a balanced diet. I believe eating avocados is very beneficial and I believe in taking vitamin supplements – I take Vitamin C, E and Omega oils.’

Maintaining a healthy approach to treats and working with a nutritionist to the stars, Gabriela Peacock, has worked wonders in her later life – but Joan admits she may just have been served up some great genes.

The actress has been a big fan of Pilates throughout her years 

Staying so active has kept her limber and mobile, and she has revealed on numerous occasions that she is still able to do the splits (pictured in 2001)

Plastic surgery may have been all the rage at the height of Joan’s Dynasty fame – but the star has always been resolute about dodging the surgeon’s knife

She told OK! magazine: ‘I don’t stuff myself with food. I only eat half of what’s on my plate, and I won’t deprive myself.

‘I’ll drink wine, have dessert, eat toast, and have coffee with sugar,’ Joan said. ‘I think I’m just lucky.’

Plastic surgery may have been all the rage at the height of Joan’s Dynasty fame, but the star has always been resolute about dodging the surgeon’s knife.

The Golden Globe winner wrote in The Telegraph: ‘A lot of people think I’ve had a ton of work done. To set the record straight: I have not.’

‘I haven’t had Botox, I haven’t had any tweakments, I haven’t had fat injections, and honestly, when I look at the women who have – certainly a lot of women in their 40s – it appalls me.’

Speaking to The Sun in 2017, Joan pushed back at those who refuse to believe she hasn’t enjoyed the nips and tucks of a surgeon’s knife.

She said: ‘If people want to think I’ve had surgery, then… You can tell [I haven’t] because I have lines and jowls. When I see women around my age, I think, ‘Oh, really? My gosh, I look quite a bit…, I think I look pretty good!’

She continued: ‘I also always, always sleep on my back. I’ve trained myself to, because I used to sleep on my side, scrunched up into the pillow, and then I was told not to because it gives you ‘scrunchy face’. Which is absolutely true.’

One of Joan’s most important anti-ageing tips is to never leave home without SPF on, and to always keep her face out of the sun.

She told You Magazine in 2014: ‘I have always worn sun protection and have kept my face away from harmful rays since I was 20.

‘You should see me when I wake up in the morning: my face is so white, it’s like a sheet.’

She added: ‘I’ve saved my face by always wearing a hat in the sun. The rest of me is not as good as it should be, because I do go in the sun. I love getting a tan. It means I can wear off-the-shoulder things.’

Joan revealed: ‘I haven’t had Botox, I haven’t had any tweakments, I haven’t had fat injections, and honestly, when I look at the women who have – it appalls me’

One of Joan’s most important anti-ageing tips is to never leave home without SPF on, and to always keep her face out of the sun

And there’s discipline when it comes to her skincare routine. 

She previously told The Mirror: ‘I don’t go to bed without taking off my makeup and putting on night cream. My mother had me and sister Jackie doing that when we were 14.’

The Dynasty star revealed her bedtime skincare routine involves wiping off her makeup with a Nivea cleanser, before applying a night cream by Charlotte Tilbury.

Joan also shared her secret routine before attending red carpet events: ‘Before all big events and post-flights, I get a bowl of ice and cotton pads, cool the pads and place them on my eyes, then lie down for five minutes. 

‘It reduces puffiness and refreshes the eyes.’

It is one of the simple tricks the star learnt from Allan ‘Whitey’ Snyder, the famous makeup artist who used to get Marilyn Monroe ready for filming.