Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on Wednesday, 24 September 2026, touching down at Joint Base Andrews at 5:39 pm local time for a high-stakes state visit that will include a formal White House ceremony, a state dinner, and a joint review of historical US-China documents. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were on the tarmac to receive Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, who stepped off their aircraft at 6:01 pm.

A Full Military Welcome at Andrews

Staff rolled out a 100-foot red carpet as Xi's Air China aircraft taxied past parked jets on the tarmac. Trump and Xi stood side by side at the carpet's end, flanked by American and Chinese flags, as a US Air Force band played the national anthem and ceremonial cannons fired. Two B-1 bombers conducted a flyover, a rare display of military pageantry reserved for the most consequential diplomatic arrivals. Trump waited as Xi boarded a black car before taking his own presidential limousine, commonly known as the Beast.

Thursday's Full State Arrival Ceremony

The formal state arrival is scheduled for Thursday morning on the South Lawn of the White House. As many as 479 military personnel representing all branches of the US armed forces will participate. Army herald trumpeters will perform as the two couples arrive, while the US Marine Band will play both national anthems on the State Floor. Trump and Xi are then scheduled to deliver remarks. The ceremony will include a presidential salute, a military review, and a concluding flyover by a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors.

State Dinner, Cultural Exchange and National Archives

A state dinner is scheduled for Thursday evening in the White House East Room. Separately, Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan will visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, exploring works reflecting centuries of artistic and cultural exchange between the two nations. On Friday, the two couples are due to have tea in the Red Room before travelling to the National Archives to view documents relating to the history of US-China relations. The farewell ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Archives.

Historical Context: Trump and Xi's Diplomatic Track Record

This is not the first time the two leaders have met on US soil. Trump previously hosted Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in April 2017 during his first presidential term. He later travelled to Beijing that year, where the two leaders held talks and visited the Forbidden City. The scale of this week's reception — bomber flyovers, a 479-strong military contingent and a multi-day programme — signals an intention to frame the meeting as a landmark moment in bilateral relations at a time when US-China ties remain deeply contested on trade, technology and geopolitical influence.