US President Donald Trump on Thursday began his closely watched China visit with one of the most elaborate state welcomes of his presidency, receiving a 21-gun salute and full military honours from Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Trumparrived at the Great Hall— the imposing political complex that houses China’s legislature and hosts major Communist Party ceremonies — where Xi Jinping personally greeted him at the entrance. The two leaders shook hands, exchanged brief remarks and posed for photographs before moving into the formal welcome sequence.
Cannons then fired a ceremonial salute as military bands played the American national anthem. Trump and Xi later inspected an honour guard led by goose-stepping Chinese soldiers carrying ceremonial swords across the marble-lined ceremonial plaza.
The ceremony, held at Tiananmen Square under heavy security, is expected to shape discussions around Iran, Taiwan, trade tensions and the future balance of power between the world’s two largest economies.
Tiananmen Square had been largely cleared for the occasion, with access restricted to officials, state media, invited press delegations and military personnel. Giant Chinese and American flags lined the red-carpeted staircase leading into the Great Hall while rows of uniformed soldiers stood at attention across the vast ceremonial complex.
Hundreds of schoolchildren dressed in brightly coloured uniforms participated in the state welcome, waving Chinese and American flags while presenting flowers as the two leaders walked past.
The carefully choreographed ceremony reflected Beijing’s effort to project stability, prestige and diplomatic parity with Washington despite deepening geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
Inside the Great Hall, Xi Jinping delivered opening remarks before Trump responded with unusually warm praise for the Chinese leader. “You’re a great leader,” Trump told Xi during the bilateral meeting, adding: “It’s an honor to be your friend.”
Trump also said he believed relations between the United States and China would become “better than ever before” despite ongoing disputes over trade, regional security and strategic competition.
The American president is also scheduled to visit Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven and later attend a formal state banquet hosted by Xi Jinping as part of the three-day visit.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
