U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan for an official visit to the White House recently. The State visit follows President Trump’s trip to China last May. President Trump welcomed the Chinese delegation at Andrews Air Force base and later at the White House with a grand arrival ceremony followed by a state dinner that included leaders of American business and culture on the guest list. The fanfare highlighted what President Trump called a “truly great friendship … built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people.”
“The hospitality of the Chinese people was on full display during our visit to Beijing earlier this year and tonight we hope to show you the same honor as you return to Washington for the first time in over a decade,” said President Trump. During that visit the two presidents established a Board of Trade which President Trump called a success.
“Our teams have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship, including the new market access for American farmers and ranchers,” said President Trump, who noted that discussions would also focus on “security, technology and superintelligence, SI.”
“As the leaders of our two nations President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems but the ties between our people endure. We’ve never gotten along better,” said President Trump. “Since the first trade ships from New York left the harbor to arrive on the banks of the Pearl River, Americans and Chinese have always exchanged goods, knowledge, customs and ideas. This has been the foundation of commerce and mutual respect between our countries and together we can continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations.”
During the visit, the White House announced a two-month extension on a trade truce between the two countries that was set to expire in November. The U.S. National Zoo is welcoming a gift of two giant pandas from China and President Xi has extended an invitation to host 100,000 American exchange students.
“The long relationship between China and America … has bridged thousands of miles and spanned hundreds of years,” said President Trump as he toasted his guests. “May all of our people know a future of harmony, peace, and success.”