U.S. President Donald Trump has personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his arrival in Washington for a state visit, foreign media reported, APA reports.
Xi Jinping was welcomed by Trump at Joint Base Andrews.
A red carpet was rolled out for the Chinese leader, while an honor guard was lined up for the welcoming ceremony. Trump and Xi shook hands and spoke briefly.
The national anthems of China and the United States were played during the ceremony, accompanied by a ceremonial artillery salute.
U.S. military aircraft, including B-1 bombers, flew over the airbase. According to the White House, six F-16 and six F-22 fighter jets were also stationed at the base.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump accompanied Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to their vehicle following the ceremony.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States will continue from September 23 to 25.
The Financial Times earlier reported that Trump's decision to personally welcome Xi at Joint Base Andrews was unusual in terms of protocol. According to the newspaper, the last time a sitting U.S. president personally welcomed a foreign leader at the airbase was in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy received British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
