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 for the first time in four months.

President Trump, accompanied by 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 for Joint Base Andrews aboard the presidential helicopter, Marine One, at around 4:43 p.m. Eastern Time.

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

The Air China aircraft carrying President Xi landed at Joint Base Andrews at 5:39 p.m.

After the aircraft taxied to a halt, a red carpet was rolled out, and a 21-member U.S. military honor guard lined up, President Xi 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 walked right up to the stairs attached to 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 out to the airport, and walked together down the red carpet.


President Trump and President Xi paused on the red carpet while the U.S. Air Force band played the national anthems of both countries. As the performance ended, President Trump repeatedly showcased his close ties through 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 also continued chatting behind the two leaders, displaying a friendly rapport.

This marks the first time since taking office for his second term that President Trump has traveled to Joint Base Andrews to personally welcome a foreign head of state visiting the United States.

Previously, President Trump also traveled ahead of time to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin when he arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in August of last year.

President Trump's high-level courtesy toward President Xi served as a reciprocal gesture for the grand reception he received when he visited Beijing, China, last May.

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

However, when he arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport the previous day, the Chinese official 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 are set to 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 on the 25th after completing a 3-day, 2-night state visit.
 
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)