When the Chinese president landed in Washington around midnight on Thursday night, he was received by Trump personally - an unusual welcoming gesture from a US president. According to the BBC, it was the first time this had happened since 1962.
The warmth and friendship the two leaders want to display continued to permeate their opening speeches to each other.
Trump welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, emphasising his “strong friendship” with his guest and the mutual respect they have for each other.
AI in human hands
During the meeting, they will discuss AI and security issues, among other things, he said, and in his welcome speech drew several parallels with how the countries have cooperated, not least during the Second World War.
"The decisions we make on these issues today can create peace and prosperity for decades to come. President Xi and I will continue to work together to create a better future for both our countries," he said.
Xi responded in kind and also praised the leaders' good cooperation.
China and the United States may not solve all the world's problems, but without our cooperation, many of the world's problems would be difficult to solve.
One of these issues is AI, Xi said, emphasising the responsibility of superpowers to ensure that it is humans who control AI, and not the other way around.
We have both the capacity and the responsibility to develop and manage AI and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the best interests of humanity.
Envoy of Friendship
After the brief press conference, Trump and Xi will exchange gifts and watch a military display before sitting down for two talks, one with just the presidents and one with other ministers and advisers. This will be followed by a banquet featuring sea bass. The state visit will continue on Friday.
During his speech, Xi revealed China's gift to the United States - two pandas that will soon arrive at a zoo in Atlanta. "Ambassadors of friendship," he called the pandas, named Ping Ping and Fu Shuang.
According to previous announcements, the pandas will be allowed to stay in Atlanta for ten years.
