US TV networks back at White House, as Trump praises ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

Despite ongoing conflicts, US President Donald Trump portrayed his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as better than ever during a state banquet with the Chinese leader. In Washington, Trump said, "President Xi and I are aware that we represent different systems, but the ties between our peoples persist, and we have never gotten along better."

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived in the US on Wednesday for a three-day state visit. The list of issues between the two countries is extensive, covering Beijing's support for Iran and Russia, trade disputes, and the regulation of artificial intelligence. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at a state dinner with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the North Portico, the main entrance on the north side of the White House. Xi wore a suit, while Peng wore a red dress. After a photo session, the four of them went inside the White House together. Trump had previously called the dinner the "most coveted ticket in the city."

Among the expected guests are numerous representatives from the tech and finance sectors. Protests were heard near the White House as guests arrived. A few hundred demonstrators gathered behind a fence in Lafayette Park and shouted, "Xi Jinping must go" and "Shame! Shame, Xi Jinping!" Their cries were heard up to the North Portico, where an honor guard and a red carpet were set up for the state dinner guests.