US military prepares ceremonial welcome for Xi Jinping at the White House

As Washington fine-tunes diplomatic protocols for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the United States, a ceremonial welcome awaits him at the White House. A military honor guard conducted a rehearsal at the iconic residence, showcasing service members in ceremonial uniform standing in formation. This drill echoed a similar welcome extended to former President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, where China staged a grand ceremony with a People's Liberation Army honor guard.

Trump had lauded the Chinese military's marching as "incredible," and multiple photographs of the honor guard adorned by the White House and his official accounts. Renovations at the White House are being finalized, with the removal of drapes from the North Portico and scaffolding dismantling expected soon. This renovation aligns with Trump's broader series of White House construction projects aimed at completion before hosting Xi for a state dinner.

Both nations are preparing for the summit with a more restrained tone. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed a meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng this weekend to finalize preparatory talks, occurring only a week before Xi's anticipated arrival. Meanwhile, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun addressed the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, advocating for global security governance through multilateralism.

Dong emphasized the importance of maintaining stability amidst global turbulence, steering clear of naming any specific country and avoiding mention of the Taiwan issue, representing a shift in demeanor compared to his speech last year.