B-2 Strategic Assets Deployed for 'Grand Welcome'... Xi Jinping Boards Marine One at White House's New Helipad

During the U.S.-China summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rolled out the red carpet to warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan.

President Trump and First Lady Melania emerged from the White House at around 10 a.m. on the 24th local time, standing side by side in front of the entrance to await the official car carrying President Xi and First Lady Peng.

President Trump wore a navy suit with a purplish tie, while First Lady Melania wore a black skirt suit.

Moments later, President Xi and First Lady Peng stepped out of the vehicle upon its arrival at the White House entrance.

President Xi also wore a navy suit with a tie in a similar shade to President Trump's, and First Lady Peng wore traditional black Chinese attire.

President Trump and First Lady Melania exchanged handshakes with President Xi and First Lady Peng in turn. President Trump was also captured patting President Xi on the elbow as they shook hands.

They stood in a row at the White House entrance for a commemorative photo.

After the photoshoot, as they headed into the White House building, President Trump gestured with his hand for President Xi to go first, and First Lady Melania similarly ushered First Lady Peng inside ahead of her.

Following the playing of both countries' national anthems in the Grand Foyer on the State Floor of the White House, President Trump delivered a welcome speech lasting about 9 minutes, to which President Xi responded with a speech of about 14 minutes.

With the delegations from both countries seated face-to-face in front of the podiums, President Trump smiled toward the Chinese delegation while listening to the Chinese interpretation during his speech.

Gifts prepared by both sides were exchanged privately in the Blue Room, a separate space adjacent to the central lobby.

After exchanging gifts, the two presidential couples stood on the balcony to review a U.S. Marine Corps rifle drill, a military band performance, and a demonstration flight by U.S. Air Force strategic assets, including B-2 bombers and F-22 fighter jets.

The two leaders also took a stroll together through the colonnade hallway lined with photographs of past U.S. presidents.

Immediately afterward, formal talks resumed behind closed doors in President Trump's Oval Office.

Following the conclusion of the talks, they toured the White House South Lawn and moved to the newly completed helipad, where they test-boarded President Trump's presidential helicopter, Marine One.

Stepping off the helicopter, President Trump told reporters, "We had a very good meeting, and he (President Xi) had a big interest in the granite. He likes granite," adding, "He's an expert not only in many other fields, but also in stone."

The helipad was built using granite.

President Trump had rushed the construction to showcase the new helipad to President Xi.

President Trump pointed out features to President Xi, including the presidential seal embedded in the helipad and the construction site of the large banquet hall being built on the grounds of the White House East Wing.

According to the Associated Press, President Trump remarked that the granite paving on the helipad would "last a million years" and had anticipated that it would leave a deep impression on President Xi.

During the summit, heavy security and traffic controls were enforced throughout Washington, D.C., and the White House area.

Crowds of welcomers, presumed to be Chinese expatriates, were seen gathered along the roadsides stretching from President Xi's lodging to the White House, waving the U.S. national flag, the Stars and Stripes, and China's national flag, the Five-Star Red Flag.

Some individuals dressed as Winnie the Pooh also staged a protest against President Xi to criticize China's censorship policies and political oppression.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.