On September 23, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for an official visit. This visit marks the first time the Chinese leader has been to the United States in nearly three years. Xi's plane landed at Andrews Air Force Base, where he was greeted with full honors.
Ceremony of Arrival
At Andrews Base, a long red carpet was rolled out for Xi Jinping, and a salute was fired from battery cannons. The ceremony was attended by Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who personally welcomed the Chinese leader and his wife Peng Liyuan. The national anthems of both countries were played, and two B-1 bombers flew overhead, eliciting a reaction from Trump.
Visit Plans
Xi Jinping's visit will last until September 25. Key negotiations between the Chinese leader and the U.S. president are scheduled for today. A press conference following the meeting is currently not planned. The evening portion of the program will include a state dinner, with notable guests such as Tim Cook from Apple, Jensen Huang from Nvidia, and Sam Altman from OpenAI invited.
Context of the Visit
This visit is a significant step in U.S.-China relations, occurring against a backdrop of numerous economic and political challenges. It is noteworthy that during Trump's previous visit to Beijing in May, Xi Jinping did not arrange such a grand welcome, highlighting the shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries.