American President Donald Trump and first lady Melania welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to the White House with full military honors and a red carpet. Both first ladies chose dark dresses: black for Melania, blue for Peng.
«President Xi, Mrs. Peng and members of the Chinese delegation, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the splendid White House. It’s a great honor. In May we had the great privilege of visiting you in Beijing, where you welcomed our delegation with extraordinary and wonderful hospitality. Now, Melania and I are honored to host you in Washington, as President Xi becomes the first Chinese leader ever to make a second official state visit to America,” Trump began in the Grand Foyer.
Trump: «A great friendship with Xi»
The American president then recalled the relationship built with the Chinese leader since his first mandate: «Since my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have established a friendship – a great friendship, truly – based on mutual respect and the vital interests of our peoples. We spent time together all over the world: from Germany to Argentina, from Japan to South Korea, from Beijing to Palm Beach, Florida. However, it is significant to note that this is our first meeting here at the White House and, as President Xi has already seen, many things have changed since he was last here.”
Trump also recalled the cultural ties between the two countries: «It is possible to admire evidence of a long and precious, truly extraordinary relationship: that of cultural exchanges between China and the United States. Just as our ancestors crossed the ocean centuries ago to trade, learn, and build a better world, our two countries do the same; we are very proud of it, just as we are of this bond.”
Security, technology and superintelligence on the table
On the agenda front, the American president anticipated that «during this visit we will also discuss urgent issues regarding security, technology and superintelligence. The decisions we make today in these areas can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come.”
As for trade relations, Trump claimed the achievements of the Board of Trade: «During my last visit, last May, we created the Board of Trade and, thanks to that, it is a completely new mechanism and something that has been incredibly successful. Our teams have worked to encourage more balanced trade relationships, including new market access for American farmers and ranchers.”
Xi: «Steering the great ship of Sino-American relations»
“Thank you, President Trump and Mrs. Trump, for the warm hospitality you have extended to me and my wife,” Xi responded. «On behalf of China’s more than 1.4 billion citizens, I would like to first extend sincere greetings to the American people and warm congratulations on the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. Both China and the United States are great countries, and both the Chinese and American people are great people. I am visiting the United States at the invitation of President Trump to cultivate our friendship, expand cooperation, and promote the well-being of both our peoples.”
The Chinese leader then indicated the framework of the bilateral relationship: «Faced with the changes that are affecting the world today and our era, and which are of historical importance, China and the United States – as great powers – take on the historical responsibility of promoting the development and progress of humanity. Mr. President, during your visit to China this year, we agreed to build a constructive relationship between China and the United States, founded on strategic stability; this initiative was welcomed by the people of our two countries and by the international community. I am ready to cooperate with you to steer the great ship of Sino-American relations along a safe course into the future.”
According to Xi, there are two guidelines: dialogue and cooperation. «We need to strengthen communication. China and the United States have different national realities, but through frank, in-depth and constant dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground while putting aside differences and build mutual trust. We should cooperate sincerely. The interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined, and there is ample room for our cooperation.”
“Cooperation between China and the United States may not solve all the world’s problems, but without our cooperation it would be difficult to solve many global problems,” continued the Chinese president. «China keeps its doors wide open and welcomes American companies that wish to invest and do business in its country. We hope that Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the United States. By working together, we can expand the list of areas of cooperation and reduce the list of problems.”
The case of the TV pool
The welcoming ceremony took place as the White House TV pool continues to black out coverage of presidential events. Despite the district judge’s decision to restore media access (CNN, Politico and MS Now), the White House has still denied access.