Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday evening for a state visit to the United States, receiving a rare personal welcome from President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were waiting at the military base when Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived. The unusual airport welcome marked the beginning of Xi’s first visit to Washington in more than a decade.
The three-day Xi Jinping US visit, running from September 23 to September 25, comes as Washington and Beijing continue to manage disagreements over trade, technology, artificial intelligence and other international issues. China’s Foreign Ministry said the visit would include discussions on major China-US relations and wider global issues.
Xi Jinping Arrives in Washington for US State Visit
Xi’s Air China aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews at about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, where a formal welcome ceremony had been prepared.
Trump and Melania Trump had travelled to the Maryland base ahead of Xi’s arrival. The president then waited on the tarmac as the Chinese delegation approached.
Trump’s decision to personally greet Xi at the airport was unusual for a visiting foreign leader. Reuters reported that it was the first time in 11 years that a US president had welcomed a foreign leader at Joint Base Andrews in this way.
The welcome included a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honor guard, military personnel, national flags and anthems, and a flyover involving B-1 bombers.
Trump and Melania shook hands with Xi and Peng before exchanging brief remarks and pleasantries.
Two American children also presented flowers to Xi and Peng as part of the arrival ceremony.
Trump Gives Xi Jinping a Rare Airport Welcome
Trump’s decision to meet Xi at the airport rather than wait for him at the White House drew attention because of the importance of the Trump Xi meeting.
The US president had previously indicated that he would personally welcome the Chinese president when Xi arrived in Washington.
The ceremony was also designed to provide a formal welcome for China’s leader. Trump and Xi are scheduled to hold formal talks in Washington as part of the state visit.
Reuters reported that the White House programme includes a formal ceremony, military review and meetings between the two leaders. The visit also includes a state dinner hosted by Trump and Melania Trump.
Xi’s visit is his first trip to Washington in more than a decade, making the Xi Jinping Washington visit one of the most closely watched diplomatic events between the United States and China in 2026.
Xi Says China and the US Should Be Partners, Not Rivals
After arriving in the United States, Xi called for a more stable relationship between Beijing and Washington.
In a statement carried by China’s Xinhua news agency, Xi said China and the United States should be “partners, not rivals.”
Xi said the two countries could contribute to each other’s success and that cooperation between the two nations could benefit the wider world.
He also called for the two countries to move toward each other and work together on a stable relationship.
Xi’s comments come at a time when the world’s two largest economies continue to compete in areas including trade, technology and artificial intelligence.
The Chinese president’s remarks also highlighted the importance Beijing places on managing differences while maintaining communication with Washington.
US China Relations Remain Focused on Trade and Technology
The Trump Xi summit comes after months of negotiations between the United States and China over tariffs and trade.
Trade is expected to be one of the major subjects during the Washington meetings. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said ahead of the summit that US and Chinese officials had reached an agreement to extend a trade truce that had paused a wider tariff conflict.
The United States and China have also continued to discuss the movement of critical goods, including rare earth minerals, which are important to industries around the world.
Other possible areas of discussion include tariffs, technology restrictions, artificial intelligence and security issues.
The two countries remain major trading partners, but their relationship has also been marked by competition over advanced technology and global influence.
Artificial Intelligence Expected to Be a Major Topic
Artificial intelligence is another important issue surrounding the Trump Xi meeting.
Trump said AI would be a major subject of discussion during his meeting with Xi. He referred to the technology as “Super Intelligence” and said he wanted to maintain the existing position on the issue.
The United States and China are competing to develop advanced AI systems and related technologies.
The two governments have also introduced different measures affecting technology companies and advanced computing.
The AI discussion therefore comes at a time when both Washington and Beijing are trying to protect their technological interests while maintaining communication between the two countries.
Red Carpet Ceremony Highlights Xi’s Washington Arrival
The arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews included several elements normally associated with a major state visit.
A long red carpet was placed beneath the aircraft stairs before Xi and Peng walked down from the plane.
US service members helped position the carpet before the Chinese delegation exited the aircraft.
A 21-person military honor guard stood nearby while the national anthems of China and the United States were played.
The ceremony also included a flyover involving B-1 bombers.
Trump and Melania remained at the airport to greet Xi and Peng before the Chinese delegation departed for Washington.
Trump and Xi to Hold Formal Talks in Washington
The airport welcome was only the beginning of the Xi Jinping state visit.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet for formal talks on Thursday in Washington.
The visit includes additional ceremonial events at the White House, including an official welcome, a military review and a state dinner.
Xi and Peng are also scheduled to take part in other events during their stay in Washington. According to the previously announced schedule, the Chinese president and his wife are expected to return to the White House before visiting the National Archives.
The state dinner is also expected to bring together senior political, business and technology figures.
US and China Seek Stability Despite Differences
The US China relationship remains complex, with cooperation taking place alongside significant disagreements.
Trade and tariffs remain important economic issues, while artificial intelligence and advanced technology have become major areas of competition.
Taiwan and other international issues are also part of the wider relationship between Washington and Beijing. Recent reporting has described the summit as an effort to maintain dialogue and manage tensions between the two countries.
Xi’s statement that China and the United States should be “partners, not rivals” reflects Beijing’s public emphasis on cooperation and managing differences.
For Washington, the visit provides an opportunity for direct discussions with China’s president on trade, technology and other areas of concern.
Trump’s Welcome Echoes Previous High-Profile Visits
The ceremony for Xi also recalled Trump’s previous high-profile welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in 2025.
The 100-foot red carpet used for Xi’s arrival was compared with the elaborate welcome prepared for Putin.
Trump and Melania personally greeted Xi and Peng on the tarmac, while the military ceremony included an honor guard, military aircraft and national anthems.
Trump had also received an elaborate welcome during his visit to Beijing in May, although Xi did not personally meet Air Force One at the airport during that trip.
The diplomatic ceremonies surrounding both visits demonstrate the importance placed on the public presentation of US-China relations.
Xi Jinping Arrives in Washington as Trump Prepares for Talks
Xi’s arrival in Washington begins an important stage of the latest Trump Xi summit.
The two leaders are expected to discuss trade, tariffs, artificial intelligence and other issues affecting US-China relations.
While the state visit includes extensive ceremony, the most important part will be the direct discussions between Trump and Xi.
The leaders are seeking to maintain communication between Washington and Beijing while addressing disagreements that continue to affect the global economy and international relations.
As Xi’s state visit continues, attention will remain focused on the outcome of the Trump Xi meeting and whether the two governments can reach further agreements on trade, technology and other areas of cooperation.
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