United States President Donald Trump will personally greet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews when the Chinese leader arrives in Washington next Wednesday. A US official confirmed the arrangement, noting that the president will attend the arrival ceremony scheduled for approximately 4:00 p.m. local time on September 23.
The decision to meet a visiting head of state at the airfield is considered a rare gesture, as the president typically waits to receive foreign leaders at the White House.
This reception differs from the protocol observed during President Trump’s visit to Beijing on May 13. Upon the arrival of Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport, President Xi did not meet the US president on the tarmac. Instead, Vice-President Han Zheng led the reception, which included senior foreign ministry officials, ambassadors, an honour guard, and a musical band. President Trump’s formal welcome in Beijing occurred the following day at the Great Hall of the People, where he participated in a military review.
Article source: www.scmp.com | Image credit: www.scmp.com