US President Trump Greets Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Washington

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, receiving a rare planeside greeting from U.S. President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump met Mr. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac rather than waiting at the executive residence. The arrival kicks off a visit featuring a formal state dinner at the White House on Thursday and reciprocates the ceremonial grandeur of Mr. Trump's trip to China in May. The visit aims to maintain strategic stability despite high tensions between the two countries over trade, artificial intelligence, U.S. policy on Iran, and China's approach to Taiwan. Mr. Trump has praised Mr. Xi as a great leader and described a warm personal relationship. However, the lavish welcome drew criticism from lawmakers like Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who argued in a Tuesday speech that Mr. Trump should not have invited the Chinese leader given issues involving the Chinese Communist Party and China's military buildup. In contrast, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the high-level talks on Wednesday, stating in New York that failing to interact at the highest levels as the world's two largest economies and most powerful militaries would be irresponsible. Following Wednesday's airport ceremony, Thursday's schedule includes a White House arrival ceremony, a troop review, and a black-tie state dinner with tech industry leaders including Nvidia's Jensen Huang and SpaceX's Elon Musk, alongside closed-door discussions. On Friday, Mr. Xi and Ms. Peng will return to the White House for private tea and a tour of the National Archives with the Trumps to view historic documents.