Beijing, May 12 -- The Chinese capital will soon become the setting for one of the most closely watched, high-stakes diplomatic encounters of the year, as the leaders of the world's two largest economies prepare to meet face-to-face.

This will be the U.S. President Donald Trump's first state visit to China since his re-election and the second time Chinese President Xi Jinping has hosted him in the country. Their last meeting in China took place nearly a decade ago.

Against the backdrop of a complex international landscape and shared global challenges, expectations are running high: How can Xi and Trump manage differences between their countries? How can they navigate the world's most consequential bilateral relationship?

At the helm of...