U.S. President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, opening a three-day state visit expected to focus on trade, technology, Taiwan and wider geopolitical tensions.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, after the Chinese leader arrived at the Maryland military base aboard an Air China aircraft at 5:39 p.m. local time. The welcome featured a red carpet, an honor guard, the U.S. Air Force Band and a military flyover. The White House confirmed that Trump personally greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Sept. 23 before the formal state arrival ceremony at the White House on Thursday. 

The leaders and their wives briefly exchanged greetings before walking along the red carpet and posing for photographs. A pair of B-1 bombers flew overhead during the ceremony.

The unusually prominent airport welcome underscored the importance attached to Xi’s visit. Reuters reported that it was the first time in 11 years that a U.S. president had........

© Naya Daur