U.S. President Barack Obama attempted to tamp down criticism Sunday of what some have called an intentional diplomatic snub by Beijing a day earlier as he arrived for the Group of 20 summit in China.
While authorities in the host city of Hangzhou had rolled out the red carpet for arriving leaders — including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — Obama, who is likely on his final trip to Asia, was forced to disembark Air Force One via a rarely used alternative exit Saturday after no staircase was provided.
But this was only the beginning of a tumultuous day.