Xi arrives for state visit in US

President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, DC on Wednesday, as Xi began his first state visit to the United States in 11 years.

Upon their arrival, American children presented flowers to Xi and Peng. Honor guards lined both sides of the red carpet in salute, and a military band played the Chinese and US national anthems. A 21-gun salute was fired, and military aircraft flew overhead in tribute.

According to a news release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Trump said he was delighted to welcome Xi and his wife to Washington for a visit that has drawn worldwide attention.

He described Xi as a great leader, and the occasion as a great moment, saying he looks forward to in-depth exchanges with Xi to advance bilateral relations.

In written remarks delivered upon his arrival, Xi extended sincere greetings and good wishes to the American people on behalf of the Chinese people, saying the two countries should be partners rather than rivals.

China and the US are both great countries with great peoples, he said, noting their long-lasting friendly exchanges and deeply intertwined interests.

Achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again could proceed in parallel, reinforce each other and benefit the world, Xi said.

Recalling Trump's visit to China in May, Xi said their agreement to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability had provided strategic guidance for the future of China-US ties.

He called on both sides to work toward a stable relationship characterized by cooperation as the mainstay, competition within proper limits, manageable differences and expectable peace, and to find the right way for two major countries to get along in the new era.

Despite changes in the world, the historical logic of peaceful coexistence, the two peoples' desire for friendly exchanges and the international community's expectations of China and the US remained unchanged, Xi said.

Xi said he looks forward to an in-depth exchange of views with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and the global situation, further enriching the dimensions of the China-US constructive relationship of strategic stability and expanding exchanges and cooperation.

He also expressed hope for broad engagement with people from various sectors in the US to deepen friendship.

The Chinese president expressed belief that with joint efforts from both sides, the visit will yield fruitful outcomes, delivering greater well-being to both peoples and bringing greater hope for world peace.

David Chong, founder and president of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, said the visit sends a positive signal of stability and strengthens confidence for bilateral cooperation.

Chong, who spoke as an alumni representative when Xi visited Lincoln High School during his state visit to the US in 2015, said he had witnessed growing understanding of China among young Americans over the years, particularly through China's initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans for exchanges and study over five years.

"I have seen seeds of China-US friendship take root and sprout in the hearts of young people in both countries," he said.