(LEAD) Trump gives Xi rare welcome at military base on eve of high-stakes summit

On the eve of a high-stakes summit, U.S. President Donald Trump made an unprecedented welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. This rare gesture underscored the significance of the visit by the Asian superpower's leader. Trump and his wife, Melania, greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac, marking their third in-person meeting since their previous talks in Busan, South Korea last October, and Beijing in May.

As the summit delves into crucial issues like a possible extension of a trade truce, AI safety, and Taiwan's security, the U.S. president emphasized its importance for both leaders. The summit, which includes a state arrival ceremony at the White House with 479 military personnel, aims to foster stable ties ahead of the November midterm elections and address concerns raised by the evolving AI technology and the security situation in Taiwan.