US President Donald Trump personally greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the aircraft stairs as the Chinese leader arrived in the United States for a state visit, infohub.kz reports.
According to Xinhua, Xi's plane landed at Andrews Base. US First Lady Melania Trump also took part in the welcoming ceremony.
The welcome ceremony included an artillery salute and the playing of the national anthems of both countries.
As RIA Novosti reports, Trump and his wife arrived on the runway when all preparations were already completed. A red carpet was laid out at the aircraft stairs, with American military personnel and members of the Chinese delegation lined up on both sides.
The US president spoke with them for several minutes while waiting for the Chinese president to emerge. Xi Jinping appeared from the plane holding the hand of China's first lady, Peng Liyuan. The leaders' handshake at the stairs was brief, but they lingered by the plane for a few minutes, talking about something. At that time, a boy and a girl approached them and presented each with a bouquet of flowers.
At the conclusion of the welcome ceremony, a bomber flew over the delegation.