The Office of the First Lady Melania Trump has announced the full schedule for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US. The visit, which will take place from September 23 to 25, will include a range of ceremonial events and meetings. On Wednesday, September 23, President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan will arrive at Joint Base Andrews, where they will be greeted by President Donald Trump and the First Lady.
The formal proceedings will commence on Thursday morning, September 24, with a State Arrival Ceremony held across the South Lawn, State Floor, and Rose Garden. The ceremony will feature a massive military demonstration, including 479 personnel from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. A Presidential Salute from the United States Marine Silent Drill Platoon and United States Joint Forces Command will also be presented.
The State Arrival Ceremony will include a range of musical performances, including a fanfare by the United States Army Herald Trumpets and the national anthems of the People's Republic of China and the United States, played by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. The ceremony will also feature remarks from both President Trump and President Xi.
Following the State Arrival Ceremony, the First Lady and Madame Peng Liyuan will visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to explore works spanning centuries of artistic achievement and Sino-American cultural exchange. The museum visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to learn more about each other's cultures.
On Thursday evening, President Trump and the First Lady will greet President Xi and Madame Peng at the North Portico for a State Dinner in the East Room. The State Dinner will be a formal event, with additional details to be shared on Wednesday, September 23. The Office of the First Lady noted that the State Dinner would be a significant event in the state visit.
On Friday morning, September 25, the President and First Lady will greet President Xi and Madame Peng at the South Portico for tea in the Red Room of the White House. The two couples will then travel to the National Archives in Washington, DC, where they will view historic records and documents highlighting the American and Chinese relationship.
The state visit will conclude with a formal farewell ceremony at the National Archives, where President Trump and the First Lady will bid farewell to President Xi and Madame Peng. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the US and China, and address issues such as trade, artificial intelligence, and Taiwan.
Key points
- The state visit will include a range of ceremonial events, including a Presidential salute, aerial flyover, and state dinner.
- The visit will provide an opportunity for President Trump and President Xi to discuss key issues, including trade and Taiwan.
- The First Lady and Madame Peng Liyuan will visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to explore works spanning centuries of artistic achievement and Sino-American cultural exchange.
