Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in US for state visit, greeted by Trump at airport

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for a state visit to the United States.

Xi is visiting the country from September 23 to 25 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews in a rare planeside welcome.

The welcome ceremony also included a gun salute and the playing of the national anthems of both countries.

In a written speech, Xi said China and the US should be partners, not rivals. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand and complement each other, he added.

Both countries should work in the same direction and promote a stable relationship featuring cooperation as the mainstay, moderate competition, manageable differences and promises of peace, Xi said, adding that he is confident that China and the US can find the right way to get along in the new era.

The historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the US has not changed, he said.

Xi said he looks forward to in-depth exchanges with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral ties and the world situation, enriching a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability and engaging extensively with people from all walks of life in the US to deepen friendship.

Xi said that with joint efforts, his US visit is sure to be fruitful.