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In the latest round of panda diplomacy playing out between the U.S. and China, NBC News' Janis Mackey Frayer got exclusive access to the two pandas getting ready for their upcoming journey to Zoo Atlanta in America.

Tom Llamas goes inside a Beijing robot plant as China's race to build autonomous humanoids accelerates, raising new questions about whether the U.S. can keep pace in the next generation of robotics.

China's leader gave President Trump a lavish welcome in Tiananmen Square as the superpower summit began. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas that key topics included Iran, Taiwan and trade deals.

Cuba said that it provided information that "made it possible to categorically demonstrate that Cuba does not constitute a threat to U.S. national security."

Two families see this week's state visit as a rare opportunity for Trump to speak directly to his Chinese counterpart about releasing the U.S. citizens, whose loved ones say are both in declining health.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned Thursday, setting up a potential contest with the embattled prime minister. Others could jump in the race, too.

The secretary of state, who traveled to Beijing while under Chinese sanctions, told NBC News in an interview that China had also reiterated its opposition to Iran developing nuclear weapons.

"When I got sexually assaulted, it's not only that I had to go through it -- I was alone and I couldn't share this with anyone," Guy Gilboa-Dalal said.

The two leaders met for high-stakes talks Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, expected to also focus on trade and the Iran war.

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Temple of Heaven after their two-hour bilateral meeting. NBC News' Garrett Haake and Brian Cheung report on the key issues discussed and the leaders' cultural visit to the Temple of Heaven.