US President Donald Trump on Thursday welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House as the two leaders began talks 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.
The ceremony featured military honours, remarks by both leaders and a military review in the Rose Garden.
The welcome followed Trump’s personal reception of Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, a rare protocol move for a visiting foreign leader.
The two leaders are expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the war in Iran during their talks.
Xi’s visit is his first to Washington in more than a decade and marks the second meeting between the two leaders this year.
Trump previously described his relationship with Xi as a “truly great friendship.”
Xi, however, called for stronger communication between Washington and Beijing, saying the two countries should avoid conflict and confrontation.
The talks come as the two countries seek to maintain a trade truce while differences persist over technology, rare earth exports and China’s economic and diplomatic support for Iran.
Trump and Xi had earlier met in Beijing in May, where trade, Iran and Taiwan were among the major issues discussed.
During that visit, Trump said the two countries had reached “fantastic trade deals” and resolved “a lot of different problems,” although details of the agreements remained limited.
For Thursday’s talks, trade remains a key issue. Washington and Beijing recently extended their trade truce by two months, while officials from both countries have continued discussions on artificial intelligence and measures to address AI-related risks.
Xi said after arriving in the US that China and America should be “partners rather than rivals” and that he looked forward to discussing bilateral relations and global issues with Trump.
The state visit will also include a dinner hosted by Trump and the first lady at the White House on Thursday evening, with members of the official delegations, business leaders and government officials expected to attend.
