Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump renew acquaintance as Xi arrives in US

On Wednesday, Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan and former First Lady Melania Trump enjoyed a friendly reunion at Joint Base Andrews. The two women, who previously met during former President Trump's visit to China in April 2017 and their trip to Beijing later that year, greeted each other with smiles as they walked down the aircraft stairs.

Peng, accompanied by President Xi Jinping, appeared to remark on the height of the honor guard soldiers as they followed behind their husbands along the red carpet. After a brief welcoming ceremony, Peng mouthed the word "wonderful" during another exchange with Melania, though their conversation was not audible.

Peng and Melania's acquaintance dates back to the Trumps' first term in the White House. In April 2017, the first ladies toured a primary school together in Beijing, observing classes and a student cultural performance. Melania had previously described Xi and Peng as "gracious hosts" and expressed enjoyment of their personal conversations during that trip.

For their latest meeting, Melania wore a dark two-piece suit with a white shirt, while Peng donned a pale grey-blue dress with a light scarf around her neck. The first ladies engaged in several conversations through interpreters with their husbands, including before the Chinese couple departed in a Hongqi car. The first ladies' itinerary includes a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art together on Thursday, followed by a state dinner with President Trump and President Xi that evening.