United States President Donald Trump on Thursday welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House as the two leaders began a state visit expected to focus on trade, artificial intelligence and other contentious issues between Washington and Beijing.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
The White House had earlier said the ceremony would include military honours, remarks by both leaders and a military review in the Rose Garden.
China’s state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that Xi attended the welcome ceremony hosted by Trump at the White House on Thursday morning.
The ceremony followed Trump’s personal welcome for Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, a departure from the usual practice of receiving visiting foreign leaders at the White House. Reuters described the move as a rare protocol gesture by a US president.
Trade, AI and Taiwan on agenda
The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including artificial intelligence, trade, Taiwan and the war in Iran, according to Reuters.
Xi’s visit marks his first trip to Washington in more than a decade and his second meeting with Trump this year, according to reports.
Trump has described his relationship with Xi as a “truly great friendship,” while Xi has called for stronger communication between Washington and Beijing and urged both sides to avoid conflict and confrontation, according to reports from the meeting.
The talks come as the world’s two largest economies seek to maintain a fragile trade truce while continuing to face differences over technology, rare earth minerals and China’s economic and diplomatic support for Iran.
State dinner
The state visit will conclude with a state dinner hosted by Trump and the first lady at the White House on Thursday evening.
According to the White House, the dinner will bring together members of the official delegations, business leaders and government officials.
Trump’s meeting with Xi is the latest in a series of face-to-face engagements between the two leaders this year, as Washington and Beijing seek to manage their broader economic and strategic differences.
