Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his first state visit to the US in Seattle on Sept 22, a landmark trip aimed at building up trust and stepping up cooperation between the world's two biggest economies. This is the President's 7th trip to the US since 1985. His last visit took place in 2013, when he met with US President Barack Obama at Sunnylands, California. The choice of Seattle as Xi's first stop signifies his direct contact with the US public, according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Who accompanies president on state visits?
What is the role of ordinary people in shaping the Sino-US relationship? President Xi used the shape of the Chinese character "ren," or "people," to highlight the significance of both peoples, when delivering his first major policy speech on China-US ties in Seattle on Sept 22, 2015. He said the word resembled two sticks supporting each other. The foundation of China-US friendship has its roots in the people, said Xi. He also touched upon important issues including cyber security, corruption and affirmed that China's economy is in fine fettle. Business leaders applaud Xi's speech
Boeing Co won orders and commitments from China for 250 narrow body 737 aircraft and 50 wide body aircraft, valued at about $38 billion at list prices, during Xi’s visit to the US. Xi said Boeing is the “supporter, participator and promoter” of China-US trade and economic cooperation, and plays an important role in the development of Sino-US relations. China is Boeing's largest international market, accounting for about a quarter of the company's deliveries so far this year. In addition to selling China 300 airplanes, Boeing announced that it will build a 737 aircraft completion center in the country. Boeing is 'win-win' example in Sino-US relations: Xi
Xi met with 29 leaders of Internet companies from China and the US at the Eighth US-China Internet Industry Forum in Seattle, Sept 23, 2015. It is estimated that the total market value of companies present at the meeting is nearly $2.5 trillion, or one tenth of the combined GDP of China and the US, or the total GDP of the UK. Xi called for China and the US to embark on constructive dialogues on cybersecurity, saying "no one can stay out of this affair". Selfies and posts show Xi meeting Internet giants
Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan and US first lady Michelle Obama visited the Smithsonian’s National zoo in Washington to see the panda cub born on Aug 22. The two first ladies revealed the name of the cub by untying a pair of yellow scrolls on which it was written in English and Mandarin Chinese: Bei Bei. The name translates to "precious treasure", and is complementary to his elder sister's name, Bao Bao. First lady brings joy to children
"I come to the US to promote peace and advance cooperation,” said President Xi at the White House Lawn on Sept 25, 2015. Xi said this following a grand welcome ceremony featuring a 21-gun salute and a review of the honor guard. One day before the formal welcome, Xi and his counterpart Barack Obama went tieless for a casual private dinner at the Blair House which lasted three hours, an hour longer than the scheduled two hours. Three Xi-Obama meetings: From casual to black tie
In a stellar White House night as some of the biggest names in American society gathered to showcase the fusion of the East and West, the Obamas hosted Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan. It was the first ladies, both known as style icons, that were closely watched for their wardrobe decisions as Chinese media had long touted "a much-anticipated fashion face-off". Michelle Obama opted for a black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown. What’s more important is the dress’ provenance – it’s by Vera Wang, a Chinese-American designer. Peng continued her penchant for ensembles featuring Chinese elements, selecting an embellished silk gown in a rich aquamarine hue. Who's who at the White House state dinner
President Xi spoke at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2015. This was his first speech at the UN. During his visit to the UN from Sept 26 to 28, Xi made proposals and pledges in global development, South-South Cooperation, gender equality and China's role in UN peacekeeping. China to set up $1b peace fund
Peng Liyuan was given the official certificate of designation that made her the sixth person - and the first Chinese - to be made a UNESCO special envoy in 2014. She delivered two speeches in English on Sept 26 to call for the international community to pay more attention to the education and health of women and children. Peng said she hopes all the children, especially girls, can have access to good education, and that is her Chinese dream. Peng won hearts inside and outside of China
President Xi presented the "Zun of Peace" as a gift to the UN, commemorating its 70th anniversary. The gift is modeled after Chinese ancient bronze artifacts "Zun" using cloisonné technique and it shows China's support to the UN, said Xi. The gift conveyed the Chinese people's desire for and belief in peace, development and cooperation for win-win outcomes, which is consistent with the spirit of the United Nations Charter, Xi said. Previous gifts to the United Nations
