Xi lands in U.S. for state visit, greeted by Trump at airport

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday afternoon for a state visit to the United States at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump.



The honor guards lined up on both sides of the red carpet to pay their respects.



The welcome ceremony also included a 21-gun salute, the playing of the national anthems of both countries and a military flyover.



In a written speech, Xi extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the U.S. people on behalf of the Chinese people. China and the United States are both great countries, and the two peoples are both great peoples, Xi said in the speech, adding that the two peoples have maintained friendly exchanges for a long time and their interests are deeply intertwined.



China and the United States should be partners, not rivals, he said, noting that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand, and that the two countries can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.



Xi noted that he and Trump agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability during Trump's visit to China in May, which has provided strategic guidance for the future development of bilateral ties.