Red carpet vs empty tarmac: Xi’s US welcome fuels debate over Takaichi’s no-show reception
Starkly contrasting receptions for the Japanese leader and the Chinese president in the United States have sparked debate over Washington’s treatment of Tokyo as an ally. Sanae Takaichi arrived in New York at the start of the working week, beginning a trip where she addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time as the country’s prime minister. A photo taken on her arrival shows…
Two very different receptions for two world leaders arrived in the United States have sparked a debate over Washington's treatment of Tokyo as an ally. Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, arrived in New York and addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time as the country's prime minister. However, a photo taken of her arrival showed a relatively empty tarmac at John F. Kennedy International Airport, with no senior US representatives present.
In stark contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland two days later. The Japanese delegation was greeted by several Japanese officials, while the Chinese couple received a 21-gun salute, a 100-foot red carpet, and a 21-person honour cordon, among other honors.
The disparity in the two leaders' receptions has ignited intense online debate, with some questioning whether Japan's political presence in the US has plummeted as its national power has declined.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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