White House sets out itinerary for Xi Jinping state visit
The White House says Donald Trump will host Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan in Washington from 23 to 25 September, with military ceremonies, cultural visits and a state dinner planned.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan are scheduled to visit the White House from 23 to 25 September for an official state visit hosted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
According to the White House announcement, Trump is due to greet Xi and Peng at Joint Base Andrews on 23 September. A state arrival ceremony is planned for the following morning across the White House South Lawn, State Floor and Rose Garden.
The ceremony is expected to involve 479 military personnel representing all branches of the US armed forces, along with military demonstrations and a flyover by one B-2 Spirit and four F-22 Raptors. The White House says both presidents are scheduled to deliver remarks.
After the ceremony, Melania Trump and Peng are scheduled to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. A state dinner is planned for Thursday evening in the East Room, with further details due from the Office of the First Lady on 23 September.
On Friday, the two couples are scheduled to visit the National Archives after tea at the White House. The White House says the visit will conclude there, and describes Xi and Peng’s return as the first to the White House in more than a decade.
