Trump Hosts Xi Jinping at White House for State Visit

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday in a formal ceremony, followed by a private meeting between the two leaders. The event featured a large presence of reporters, photographers, and videographers, leading to tensions among the Chinese press and a White House photographer regarding positioning for photographs of the two presidents. The visit began with a welcome ceremony on the South Lawn, where Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and Madam Liyuan Peng. Trump and Xi delivered remarks in the Grand Foyer, where Trump stated that they would discuss security, technology, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the friendship they have developed based on mutual respect and the interests of their nations. Trump mentioned the Board of Trade established in May, which aims to promote a more balanced trading relationship. Xi, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of both nations in artificial intelligence, stating, "Both China and the United States are leading nations in artificial intelligence. We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people." The ceremony included a military review in the Rose Garden, featuring performances by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and a drill demonstration by Marines, along with a military flyover of a B-2 bomber and four F-22 Raptors. Following the ceremony, Trump and Xi met privately, and Trump provided a tour of the new helipad and Marine One on the South Lawn. Trump also showed Xi the presidential portraits in the West Wing colonnade, eliciting laughter from Xi upon seeing an auto-pen in place of former President Joe Biden’s picture. On Friday, Trump is scheduled to host Xi for a state dinner, which will include several technology and AI executives, such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman, xAI’s Elon Musk, and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.