Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States with his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Wednesday, where US President Donald Trump personally welcomed him at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The unusual airport reception marked the start of Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington.
Trump’s decision to greet Xi at the airport was part of a high-profile welcome for the Chinese leader. The visit includes a formal White House ceremony, talks between the two presidents and a state dinner.
This is Xi’s first state visit to the United States in more than a decade. His last visit to Washington came in 2015, when Barack Obama was president. The current trip also marks another face-to-face meeting between Xi and Trump in 2026, following Trump’s visit to Beijing in May.
The two leaders are expected to discuss several major issues affecting US-China relations, including trade, technology, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and critical minerals. Both countries have also been working to manage tensions and maintain dialogue despite their differences.
The visit comes at a time when Washington and Beijing are trying to manage their economic and strategic rivalry through direct talks. The discussions are expected to focus on areas where the two sides can maintain cooperation while addressing their disagreements.
