Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to the United States next week and hold his second Xi-Trump meeting of the year with US President Donald Trump next Thursday (September 24). Word has it that Trump may break with past precedent this time by greeting Xi at the airport in person to show how much he values this distinguished guest from afar. Generally speaking, when a foreign head of state arrives in another country, those greeting them at the airport are usually only senior diplomatic officials or the ambassador stationed in that country; for example, when Trump visited Beijing in May this year, China followed convention by having Vice President Han Zheng greet him at the airport.
Hong Kong media South China Morning Post reported this Thursday (the 17th), citing an anonymous US official, that Xi Jinping is expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at around 4 p.m. next Wednesday (the 23rd), where Trump will also be present, standing on the tarmac to personally welcome Xi.
Trump has never personally greeted a foreign guest on the tarmac before, usually waiting at the White House instead. However, according to a guidance document received by White House press corps members, Trump will hold a “State Visit Welcome Ceremony” for Xi Jinping next Wednesday; and since this Tuesday (the 15th), uniformed military honor guards have been drilling formations on the driveway and lawn at the White House, presumably in preparation for Xi’s arrival.
In addition to the grand outdoor military ceremony rehearsals, preparations for the banquet inside the White House are also in full swing. US First Lady Melania Trump posted a short video of about 10 seconds on social media this Thursday, showing the process of setting the White House State Dinner table. She wrote “THE WHITE HOUSE STATE DINNER” in her post, emphasizing that every detail has been carefully considered — an experience thoughtfully conceived and exquisitely realized for their distinguished guests.
THE WHITE HOUSE STATE DINNER
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) September 17, 2026
Every detail considered. An experience thoughtfully conceived and exquisitely realized for our distinguished guests. pic.twitter.com/R3H1ryYEmj
The video shows crystal glassware, custom floral arrangements, and place cards marked “President”; Melania also specially showed an invitation card printed with a welcome message from the presidential couple, bearing the names of His Excellency Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, underscoring the importance placed on the guests.
Meanwhile, Trump and Xi Jinping will hold their meeting next Thursday, and the hottest AI topic in the world recently is expected to be a focal point of discussion. It is reported that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and former Apple CEO Tim Cook, who stepped down on September 1, may all accompany Trump to the Xi-Trump meeting.
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