President Xi Jinping attends arrival ceremony at White House hosted by US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump hosted a grand ceremony at the White House on Thursday morning to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to the United States.

Upon arrival at the White House, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by President Trump and his wife Melania Trump before posing for a group photo together.

President Xi and Madame Peng then walked into the White House where they signed the guest book.

Amid resounding military music, the two presidents proceeded to the Cross Hall. The military band played the national anthems of China and the United States.

In remarks he delivered at the White House, Xi extended sincere greetings to the American people and warm congratulations on the 250th anniversary of American independence on behalf of the 1.4 billion and more Chinese people.

Xi noted that he was visiting the United States at Trump's invitation to carry on friendship, expand cooperation, and promote the well-being of the people of the two countries. Facing the changes in the world, of the times, and of historical significance today, China and the United States, as two major countries, shoulder a historic responsibility of advancing human development and progress. 

During Trump's visit to China earlier this year, the two sides agreed to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, and this is widely welcomed by the people of the two countries and the international community. Xi said he was ready to work with Trump to steer the giant ship of China-US relationship on a steady course toward the future.

Xi emphasized that China and the United States should strengthen communication. The two countries are different in national conditions, but through candid, in-depth and continued dialogue, they can understand each other better, seek common ground while shelving differences, and build up mutual trust. China and the United States should cooperate with sincerity. The interests of the two countries are deeply intertwined, and there is plenty of room for them to work together. China-US cooperation may not solve every problem in the world, but without it, it would be hard to solve many of the world's problems.

On artificial intelligence (AI), Xi said that both China and the United States are leading nations in this technology, with both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and to ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people. China and the United States should coexist in peace. As two major countries, they stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in confrontation. China and the United States must hold the line of no conflict and no confrontation between the two countries. The Thucydides Trap can be overcome, he said.

Xi noted that Chinese and Americans fought shoulder to shoulder against fascist aggression. Chinese people have never forgotten that part of history, nor have the American people. The hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, and its future lies with the young. Xi announced that in the coming five years, the Chinese side will invite 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study. He also added that the giant panda has been an envoy of friendship between the Chinese and American people. Two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will soon come to their new home in Zoo Atlanta.

Xi also emphasized that achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. He called on the two sides to meet the people's expectation, show historical initiative, keep advancing the cause of China-US friendship and work together to build a better world.

For his part, Trump extended warm welcome to Xi on this historic state visit to the United States, and said that he has forged a great friendship with Xi, which is built on mutual respect and the vital interests of the people of both countries. The United States and China reached across the ocean centuries ago to trade and to learn. Xi arrived at an important moment for America, the 250th anniversary of independence, Trump said, nothing that the two sides will continue their cooperation and contribute to a better world. He will have in-depth discussion with Xi on topics including trade, security, AI and technology, which can lay a solid foundation for peace and prosperity for decades to come. The two countries fought together in World War II to win that war, with stories like the Flying Tigers still remembered by the people of both countries. Trump also said he looks forward to continuing working together with Xi and forging a better future for both nations.

After the remarks, Xi and his wife Peng watched a performance by the United States Marines in the company of their hosts. The two presidents and their wives greeted and shook hands with the entourage of the other side, then proceeded to the White House Rose Garden for a military review. The military band played the opening fanfare, and US honor guards from different military services performed traditional drills and played instrumental music. Multiple combat aircraft flew over the White House in honor of the Chinese and US presidents and their wives.

After the arrival ceremony, the two presidents and their wives withdrew to the Oval Office where they had cordial and friendly exchanges.