All you need to know about a state visit, as White House rolls out red carpet for Xi

A state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington will be marked by a grand military welcome, a state dinner, tea at the White House, and a tour of the National Archives. This visit, Xi's first to the US since 2015, comes with a host of pomp and pageantry, demonstrating the significance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

The distinction between a state visit and other official visits lies in the high level of diplomacy and the formal invitation extended by the American president. State visits, traditionally reserved for foreign heads of state, are designed to strengthen and maintain relationships between countries. During a state visit, the visiting leader is accorded the greatest honor and respect, with strict protocols ensuring this.

The itinerary for Xi's visit includes an arrival ceremony, diplomatic talks, a state dinner, and ceremonial and cultural events. On arrival, Xi will be greeted with a military review, performances by military bands, and a flyover by military aircraft. The state dinner, a highlight of the visit, will feature menus combining Chinese and American flavors. The exchange of state gifts and a tour of the National Archives will also take place during the visit.

However, not all visits to the US by foreign leaders are considered state visits. The US State Department classifies visits into state, official, working, and other types. Although Xi previously visited the US for the APEC Leaders' Summit in 2023, this was not a state visit as it did not include the ceremonial programme associated with one.