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In Photos: Xi Jinping arrives in US, gets rare airport welcome from Donald Trump

Updated On: 24 September, 2026 10:39 AM IST | ronak mastakar

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on a three-day visit to a warm welcome from US President Donald Trump, who received him at the airport amid pomp and fanfare. (Pics/AFP)

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Pic/AFP
Pic/AFP
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The aircraft carrying Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan touched down at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland near here at 5.39 pm local time on Wednesday (3.09 am IST, Thursday) for the second summit meeting with Trump in less than six months.
The aircraft carrying Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan touched down at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland near here at 5.39 pm local time on Wednesday (3.09 am IST, Thursday) for the second summit meeting with Trump in less than six months.
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Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump were waiting at the foot of the ladder as Xi and Peng disembarked from the aircraft at 6.01 pm local time (3.31 am IST).
Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump were waiting at the foot of the ladder as Xi and Peng disembarked from the aircraft at 6.01 pm local time (3.31 am IST).
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This was for the first time since 1962 that a US president had welcomed a leader of a foreign nation at the airport. That year, then president John F Kennedy had welcomed British prime minister Harold Macmillan at the airport.
This was for the first time since 1962 that a US president had welcomed a leader of a foreign nation at the airport. That year, then president John F Kennedy had welcomed British prime minister Harold Macmillan at the airport.
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After a brief welcome exchange, the two power couples walked down the 100-foot red carpet as a 21-person honour cordon stood in attention, and the US Air Force Band played amid ceremonial cannon fire.
After a brief welcome exchange, the two power couples walked down the 100-foot red carpet as a 21-person honour cordon stood in attention, and the US Air Force Band played amid ceremonial cannon fire.
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Two B-1 bombers of the US Air Force flew over the airbase as the band played the national anthems of the US and China.
Two B-1 bombers of the US Air Force flew over the airbase as the band played the national anthems of the US and China.
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Xi and Peng left the airbase in a motorcade, while Trump and Melania boarded the Marine One chopper to return to the White House.
Xi and Peng left the airbase in a motorcade, while Trump and Melania boarded the Marine One chopper to return to the White House.
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The Chinese delegation comprises Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the General Office of the Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
The Chinese delegation comprises Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the General Office of the Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
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Trade tariffs, technology, AI, military ties, conflicts in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, the arms race in space and US arms sales to Taiwan are expected to figure in talks between Xi and Trump.
Trade tariffs, technology, AI, military ties, conflicts in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, the arms race in space and US arms sales to Taiwan are expected to figure in talks between Xi and Trump.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in New York on Wednesday. Rubio admitted that there were strong disagreements between China and the US on a range of issues and said it would be "irresponsible" if the leadership of the two countries did not interact.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in New York on Wednesday. Rubio admitted that there were strong disagreements between China and the US on a range of issues and said it would be "irresponsible" if the leadership of the two countries did not interact.

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