September 24: At the invitation of US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington aboard a special aircraft on the afternoon of September 23 local time, beginning his state visit to the United States.
At Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
Trump said he was extremely pleased to host President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan in Washington. He described the visit as one that had attracted worldwide attention and called President Xi Jinping a great leader. He said it was a wonderful historic moment and expressed his eagerness to hold in-depth discussions with President Xi Jinping on improving relations between the two countries.
At the airport, American children welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan with flowers. Honor guards stood in formation on both sides of the red carpet and saluted them. Military bands performed the national anthems of China and the United States. A 21-gun salute was fired, while fighter jets flew overhead as a gesture of respect.
In a written speech, Xi Jinping extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the American people on behalf of the Chinese people.
Xi Jinping noted that both China and the United States are great countries, and that the peoples of both countries possess great hearts. The two peoples have a long history of friendly exchanges, and their interests are deeply intertwined. China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals. Both sides should work constructively and advance in a well-planned manner toward the goals of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making the United States great again. In this way, both sides can contribute to each other’s success and play a role in promoting global well-being.
He said that during President Trump’s visit to China in May this year, the two countries agreed to build a constructive strategic stability relationship with the aim of providing strategic guidance for the future development of China-US relations. China and the United States should move toward each other, attach importance to cooperation, limit competition and manage differences to build a stable relationship conducive to peace. The two countries must find the right way to maintain sound relations between two major countries such as China and the United States in the new era.
Xi Jinping stressed that the world is moving forward and times are changing. However, the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States has not changed. The desire of the peoples of both countries for friendly exchanges also remains unchanged. Likewise, the international community’s shared expectations of China and the United States have not changed.
He said he looked forward to holding in-depth discussions with President Trump on important issues concerning bilateral relations and the international situation, continuously enriching the substance of the constructive strategic stability relationship between China and the United States, and expanding the scope of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields. He also expressed his expectation of establishing extensive contacts with people from various sectors of American society and further deepening friendship.
Xi Jinping said he believed that through the joint efforts of both sides, the visit would certainly produce fruitful results, enhance the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and inject new hope into world peace.
Cai Qi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other members of the delegation arrived in Washington on the same aircraft as the Chinese president.
He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of China, has already arrived in the United States. Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the United States, was also present at the airport to welcome him.
As Xi Jinping traveled by car from the airport to his hotel, representatives of Chinese expatriates and students living in the United States gathered along both sides of the road. They welcomed President Xi Jinping by waving the national flags of China and the United States.
Source: Anandi, China Media Group.