Washington DC - President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews ahead of a lavish White House welcome on Thursday.
Trump's personal greeting of Xi on the tarmac was the first time in more than six decades that a US president has welcomed a foreign political leader at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.
He will lay on more pomp and ceremony for Xi on Thursday, treating him to a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn, a military flyover, talks in the Oval Office, and finally a grand state banquet.
The lavish welcome masks deep tensions over thorny topics including the trade war between the world's top two economies, artificial intelligence, and Beijing's diplomatic and economic support for Iran.
Xi urged cooperation in comments reported by Chinese state media shortly after his arrival, saying that China and the US should be "partners rather than rivals."
The Chinese president added he was looking "forward to in-depth exchanges with President Trump on major issues concerning our bilateral relations and the global situation."
Trump set a friendly tone when he greeted Xi alongside his wife Melania. The meeting was marked by US bombers overhead and a military band that played both countries' national anthems.
"I thought it was a great little meeting, a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it," Trump told reporters – brushing off the fact that Xi had not welcomed him at the airport for his Beijing state visit in May.
Trump confirmed that his stalled Iran war would be on the agenda, despite earlier playing down reports that Beijing was giving Tehran intelligence.
"I'll be talking about that and many other subjects – but it's all coming along well, including that," Trump said.