100-foot-long red carpet and B-1 bombers: How Trump welcomed Xi to US

Trump welcomes Xi at US airport

US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, rolling out an elaborate military reception as the Chinese leader began a three-day state visit to Washington.Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan arrived at the Maryland airbase, where Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were waiting to receive them. The high-profile welcome featured a 100-foot-long red carpet, a salute battery, a 21-person honour cordon and colour teams carrying the US and Chinese flags.

Two B-1 bombers also flew over the airbase as part of the welcome. The supersonic aircraft, a key component of the US military's long-range bomber fleet, are known for their distinctive loud roar during low-level flyovers.After a brief exchange with Trump and Melania, the Chinese couple walked down the red carpet before leaving the airbase in a motorcade. Trump and Melania returned to the White House aboard Marine One.The elaborate reception marks Xi's first trip to Washington since 2015 and comes as the two leaders prepare for talks on trade, tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, military ties, Taiwan, Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Why the welcome matters

Trump's decision to personally receive Xi at the airport marks an unusually high-profile gesture towards a visiting foreign leader. According to the material provided, it was the first time since 1962 that a US president had welcomed a foreign leader at an airport.The reception also appears to reciprocate the ceremonial grandeur surrounding Trump's visit to China in May. Xi did not personally receive Trump when he arrived in Beijing, with Chinese vice-president Han Zheng welcoming him instead. Trump was nevertheless given a formal reception featuring a red carpet, military honour guard, military band and hundreds of Chinese youths carrying US and Chinese flags.Melania Trump had earlier said her husband decided to personally greet Xi because "they have a great relationship", adding that Xi was visiting US soil and should be welcomed "with the most respect".Also check: Xi Jinping arrives in Washington as Trump gives rare airport welcome to kick off US state visit