Melania Trump reveals surprising plans for Xi Jinping’s historic state visit

First Lady Melania Trump has shared new details about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visit to the United States, which will include military pageantry, a White House state dinner, and a visit to the National Archives.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, will travel to the United States from September 23 through September 25 at the invitation of President Donald Trump. 

China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the dates on Monday, describing the reciprocal visits between the two presidents within six months as being of “historic, milestone significance.”

According to the schedule released by the White House, President Trump will personally greet the Chinese leader and first lady when they arrive at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Their arrival is expected to be marked by a military flyover.

© Finn Gomez

The official welcome will continue Thursday, when President Trump and Melania receive Xi and Peng at the White House. The two couples are expected to participate in an arrival ceremony before the presidents attend a military review in the Rose Garden.

Trump and Xi will then hold closed-door discussions focused on relations between the United States and China. The leaders are expected to address several high-stakes issues, including trade, tariffs, artificial intelligence and China’s restrictions on rare-earth exports.

© Anadolu

While their husbands meet, Melania and Peng will follow a separate schedule. Further details about their program have not yet been disclosed.

That evening, Xi and Peng will be the guests of honor at a state dinner in the White House’s East Room. The event is expected to bring together government officials, business leaders and major figures from the technology industry.

© Brooks Kraft

On Friday morning, the Chinese president and first lady will return to the White House for tea with President Trump and Melania. The two couples will then visit the National Archives, where some of the United States’ most significant founding documents are housed, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Following the tour, Xi will travel back to Joint Base Andrews, where another ceremonial flyover is reportedly planned before his departure. The visit comes after President Trump traveled to China earlier this year.

© SAUL LOEB

During that trip, Xi hosted the American president at a state banquet in Beijing, and Trump formally invited his Chinese counterpart to Washington.

Xi’s trip will mark his first state visit to the United States in more than a decade. His last was in 2015, when he and Peng were hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi and Trump will exchange views on major issues involving relations between the two countries, as well as matters concerning global peace and development.