Xi Jinping Arrives in the US: Trump Personally Welcomes Him at the Airport

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in the United States on September 23 for a three-day state visit. In a rare break from standard protocol, US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, personally greeted the Chinese leader upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

President Xi was accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan. The high-level Chinese delegation also includes Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

It is unusual for a US president to welcome a visiting head of state directly at the airport, as official arrival ceremonies typically take place at the White House. An official welcome ceremony is scheduled at the White House for September 24, followed by bilateral talks between the two leaders and a formal state dinner in the evening.

The key topics on the agenda include US-China trade relations, rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran. Both nations have previously been working to maintain a temporary truce in their ongoing trade disputes.

Xi Jinping's state visit will continue through September 25. Prior to the trip, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Beijing aims to strengthen dialogue, manage differences, and expand mutual cooperation between the two global powers.