Xi Jinping arrives in US for 3-day visit, receives rare airport welcome from Trump
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit and received a ceremonial welcome from US President Donald Trump at the airport.
Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 5.39 pm local time on Wednesday (3.09 am IST on Thursday). It is Xi's second summit meeting with Trump in less than six months.
Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump were waiting at the foot of the aircraft ladder when Xi and Peng stepped out at 6.01 pm local time (3.31 am IST).
It was the first time since 1962 that a US president had personally welcomed a foreign leader at an airport. In 1962, then US president John F Kennedy had received British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan at an airport.
After a brief exchange, Xi and Peng, along with Trump and Melania, walked along a 100-foot red carpet as a 21-member honour cordon stood at attention. The US Air Force Band played during the ceremony, which also included ceremonial cannon fire.
Two US Air Force B-1 bombers conducted a flyover as the national anthems of the US and China were played.
Xi and Peng later left the airbase in a motorcade, while Trump and Melania returned to the White House aboard Marine One.
The Chinese delegation includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the General Office of the Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
Trump and Xi are expected to discuss trade tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, military ties, conflicts in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, the arms race in space and US arms sales to Taiwan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in New York on Wednesday that the relationship between the US and China would be significant for the 21st century.
Rubio acknowledged that Washington and Beijing have major differences on several issues but said it would be irresponsible for the leaders of the two countries not to maintain communication.
"I think it's an obligation to be able to interact at the highest levels now. I think that's what this visit reflects, is the president's belief that no matter what our disagreements and differences may be with the Chinese government, this is not some small country," Rubio said.
The state visit includes a formal dinner at the White House on Thursday and is intended to reciprocate the ceremonial welcome Trump received during his May visit to China.
Melania Trump said earlier on Wednesday that her husband had decided to personally welcome Xi because of the relationship between the two leaders.
"He's coming on our soil, and we need to welcome them with the most respect," she said during an interview with Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends.
Xi will receive a formal ceremonial welcome at the White House on Thursday, including a troop review.
Before the black-tie dinner, which is expected to be attended by technology industry leaders including Nvidia's Jensen Huang and SpaceX's Elon Musk, Trump and Xi are expected to hold discussions on key bilateral issues. Expectations remain low for any major breakthrough in relations.
On Friday, Xi and Peng are scheduled to return to the White House for a private tea with Trump and Melania before joining them on a visit to the National Archives in Washington.
The White House has said the leaders will view historic documents highlighting the relationship between the two countries. (with inputs from PTI)
