China's Xi arrives in US to personal Trump welcome - CNA
US President Donald Trump's personal airport greeting of Chinese leader Xi Jinping begins three days of pageantry that will include another flyover and a state banquet at the White House.
US President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan review an honour guard as they arrive ahead of a state visit at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, Sep 23, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump treated Chinese President Xi Jinping to a rare personal airport welcome Wednesday (Sep 23), kicking off a pomp-filled state visit aimed at smoothing superpower tensions on everything from AI and trade to Iran.
The summit is expected to be more about spectacle than substance - but there was an early breakthrough when Washington announced a two-month extension of a trade truce with Beijing that was due to expire in November.After officials literally rolled out the red carpet, Trump and First Lady Melania shook hands with Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan once the Chinese president descended from his plane at Joint Base Andrews, a US military airfield outside Washington.
Trump, wearing a long coat and gloves, and Xi then stood side by side on the tarmac as a military band played national anthems.A noisy flyover by two B-1 bombers clearly jolted Trump, who grimaced at the roar of jets, while his Chinese guest stood by impassively.
Trump brushed off the fact that Xi had not given him a similar airport welcome when he visited Beijing in May.
CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "I thought it was a great little meeting, a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it," Trump told reporters at the White House after welcoming Xi.China and the US should be partners rather than rivals, President Xi said after arriving in Washington on Wednesday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
With joint efforts, the US visit is sure to be fruitful, Xi said in written remarks, according to Xinhua.
