Warm welcome, trade truce extended: the takeaways as Xi arrives in US

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on Wednesday for a state visit, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation. Xi was greeted at the airport by his American counterpart, President Donald Trump, marking a rare occurrence. This was Xi's first visit to the US in more than a decade. The two leaders met on the tarmac, along with their respective spouses, Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan.

During the visit, the United States and China agreed to extend the Busan trade deal, which had previously been extended in August. Xi stated in a written speech that China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals. He expressed optimism that their collaboration would result in fruitful outcomes, stating that achieving China's great rejuvenation and America's renewed greatness could complement each other and benefit the world.

With Xi came a delegation comprising high-ranking officials, including Cai Qi, the fifth-ranking official in China; Foreign Minister Wang Yi; Commerce Minister Wang Wentao; Minister of Finance Lan Fao; Vice-Premier He Lifeng; and Executive Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu. Upon his arrival, Trump deviated from protocol by personally meeting Xi at the airfield, where they exchanged words through interpreters.

The greeting was accompanied by military pageantry, featuring a display of defense hardware, including six F-16 fighters, six F-22 fighters, and two B-1 Lancer flyovers, along with honor guards and a 21-gun salute.