Washington, Sep 2026 : US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping with a ceremonial reception featuring a red carpet, cannon fire and a bomber flyover at Joint Base Andrews, marking the beginning of a high-profile programme of engagements between the two leaders.
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, stepped off their aircraft at 6.01 p.m. local time on Wednesday and were greeted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Their arrival opened a programme that includes a formal welcome ceremony at the White House, a state dinner and a joint visit to the National Archives.
An Air China aircraft carrying Xi landed at 5.39 p.m. and taxied past aircraft positioned on the tarmac before stopping in front of the press area. US officials then rolled out a 100-foot red carpet as members of the Chinese delegation began disembarking from the rear of the aircraft.
Trump and Xi stood together at the end of the carpet, with American and Chinese flags positioned on either side. A US Air Force band played the national anthem while ceremonial cannons fired. Two B-1 bombers subsequently flew over the base as part of the arrival ceremony.
Trump waited as Xi entered a black vehicle before boarding his own presidential limousine, popularly known as “The Beast”.
The formal state arrival ceremony is scheduled to take place at the White House on Thursday morning, with as many as 479 military personnel from all branches of the US armed forces expected to participate.
The ceremony will span the South Lawn, State Floor and Rose Garden. A military honour cordon will line the South Drive, while Army herald trumpeters are scheduled to perform as Trump and Xi, accompanied by their wives, arrive.
The US Marine Band will perform the national anthems of China and the United States on the State Floor. Trump and Xi are then expected to deliver remarks before the ceremony proceeds with a presidential salute, military review and performances by military bands and drill units.
The concluding flyover is scheduled to feature a B-2 Spirit bomber accompanied by four F-22 Raptor fighter jets.
The programme will also include separate engagements for the two first ladies. Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan are scheduled to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, where they will view works reflecting centuries of artistic achievement and cultural exchange between the United States and China.
A state dinner is scheduled for Thursday evening in the White House East Room, providing another opportunity for the two leaders and their delegations to interact.
On Friday, Trump and Xi, along with their wives, are scheduled to have tea in the Red Room before travelling to the National Archives. There, they are expected to view historical documents relating to US-China relations. The farewell ceremony is also scheduled to take place at the National Archives.
Trump previously hosted Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in April 2017 during his first presidential term. Later that year, Trump travelled to Beijing, where the two leaders held talks and visited the Forbidden City.
