Inside Xi Jinping’s US state visit: Talks, ceremony, and state dinner with Trump

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 29, 2026

Photo courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Sept. 23–25 state visit to the United States brought a series of high-level engagements with US President Donald Trump, from an airport welcome and White House ceremony to bilateral talks, a state dinner and a tea gathering with their spouses.

The visit, made at Trump’s invitation, marked Xi’s first state visit to Washington in 11 years. 

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived in the Washington area on September 23, where Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally welcomed them.

The following day, Xi attended an official arrival ceremony at the White House. 

Highlights of Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to the United States | Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China

The program included the playing of the Chinese and US national anthems, remarks from both leaders, military honors and a flyover featuring a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors. 

Xi and Trump later held talks at the White House, where discussions covered China-US relations as well as economic, trade and broader international issues.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed building what Beijing described as a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” based on respect, fairness and reciprocity. Chinese officials also said the visit produced several areas of agreement and economic and trade deliverables. 

Highlights of Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to the United States | Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China

Those descriptions reflect Beijing’s account of the talks. 

The White House, meanwhile, said the visit advanced US economic interests and highlighted what it described as progress in the bilateral relationship.

Highlights of Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to the United States | The White House

On the evening of Sept. 24, Trump and Melania hosted Xi and Peng at a state dinner in the White House East Room.

Xi and Trump both delivered toast remarks during the dinner, with Xi referring to Trump’s visit to China in May and the series of exchanges between the two governments in 2026.

The final day of the visit included a more informal engagement.

On September 25, Xi and Peng joined Trump and Melania for tea in the White House Red Room. During the meeting, Xi again pointed to the understandings reached during the visit, while Trump said the two countries had made progress during their discussions.

Highlights of Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to the United States | Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China

The two couples later traveled to the National Archives, where they viewed records connected to the history of US-China relations and the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump and Melania formally bid farewell to Xi and Peng there. 

Xi departed Washington later on September 25, completing the three-day state visit.

The trip came less than six months after Trump visited China in May, placing the two leaders’ latest meetings within a broader period of direct engagement between Beijing and Washington in 2026.