Trump Waits an Hour at Airport to Greet Xi Jinping with Imperial Protocol

U.S. President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping with the highest level of courtesy yesterday local time, as the two leaders reunited in the United States four months after their last meeting.

President Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, personally visited Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., that afternoon to directly welcome President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan.

According to the White House pool report, President Trump departed the White House aboard the presidential helicopter, Marine One, at 4:43 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, heading to Andrews Air Force Base.

Marine One landed at the base 11 minutes later at 4:54 p.m., after which President Trump boarded his presidential vehicle to await the arrival of President Xi's special aircraft.

President Xi's Air China aircraft touched down at Andrews Air Force Base at 5:39 p.m.

After the special plane taxied to a halt, a red carpet was rolled out, and a 21-member U.S. joint honor guard took their positions, President Xi finally stepped out of the aircraft's doorway at 6:01 p.m.

Consequently, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump waited at the airport for over an hour to welcome President Xi.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump moved right up to the stairs installed at the aircraft to greet President Xi and First Lady Peng.

Both leaders shook hands with bright smiles.

The two leaders continued to chat and smile as President Xi and his wife received bouquets of flowers from young flower children, greeted officials from both countries who came to the airport, and walked the red carpet together.


President Trump and President Xi paused on the red carpet while the U.S. Air Force band played the national anthems of both nations. Once the music ended, President Trump repeatedly showed his close rapport with his signature physical touch, patting President Xi on the shoulder and back.

A 21-gun salute was fired during the playing of the national anthems, and two U.S. B-1 bombers flew overhead.

Throughout the welcoming ceremony, First Lady Melania Trump and First Lady Peng Liyuan also showed friendly interactions, continuing to converse behind the two leaders.

This marks the first time since taking office for his second term that President Trump has traveled out to Andrews Air Force Base to personally welcome a foreign leader visiting the United States.

Previously, President Trump also arrived early at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in August of last year to greet Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival.

President Trump's high level of courtesy toward President Xi served as a return gesture for the grand welcome he received when visiting Beijing, China, last May.

President Trump received lavish hospitality from President Xi during the official welcoming ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, when the U.S.-China summit took place.

However, when he arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport the day before, the Chinese representative who greeted him was Vice President Han Zheng.

The welcoming ceremony hosted by President Trump at the airport this time lasted for about 10 minutes.

Afterward, the two leaders boarded their respective vehicles.

The two leaders will hold a summit and attend a state dinner together at the White House on the 24th.

President Xi is scheduled to depart the United States after completing a three-day, two-night state visit through the 25th.
 
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.