Trump greets Xi Jinping with red carpet and military ceremony at US state visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States for a state visit, welcomed by President Donald Trump with a red carpet and full military honours at Joint Base Andrews. The ceremony included both national anthems, a 21-gun salute and a flyover.
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday to begin a state visit to the United States. He and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were received by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump in a formal welcoming ceremony.
Footage of the event showed Xi and Peng walking along a red carpet as American and Chinese flags were displayed and military personnel stood in formation. The ceremony featured the playing of both countries' national anthems, a 21-gun salute, and a military aircraft flyover above the base.
Following the formal proceedings, Trump and Xi held a brief conversation before Xi's motorcade departed the base.
The elaborate honours underscore the significance both sides are placing on the visit, as full state-visit ceremonies of this scale are relatively uncommon and typically signal heightened diplomatic attention between the two governments.
