Xi's Stories | The details that defined Xi's US visit

On the evening of September 23, 2026, a new chapter was written at Joint Base Andrews, a historic landmark where US President Richard Nixon boarded his flight for "the week that changed the world" in 1972 and where Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping landed for his historic nine-day visit in 1979.

President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, arrived by helicopter and waited at the foot of the aircraft stairs. As President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, stepped out of the cabin, they were warmly greeted by Trump and his wife in a rare planeside welcome. American children presented flowers to Xi and Peng, while honor guards lined both sides of the red carpet.

US children present flowers to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews in the United States, September 23, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The welcome ceremony also featured a 21-gun salute, the national anthems of both countries and a military flyover. In a written speech upon his arrival, Xi said: "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals," adding that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand, and that the two countries can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.

The following morning, Trump held a welcome ceremony for Xi at the White House. From the military honor guards and the US Marine Band playing both national anthems to the silent drill platoon and a military flyover, every detail reflected an extraordinary welcome. Trump invited Xi onto his helicopter at the newly built helipad and guided him through the White House photo gallery, remarking, "We have a lot of respect for you."

These details of respect and hospitality were more than protocol. They offered a glimpse of a new chapter in China-US relations.

(Compiled by Sun Tianren and Ma Yunzhe; Original story from People's Daily)