Photos: China’s Xi Jinping receives rare welcome as Trump summit begins

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit.

Trump and U.S. first lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan on a 100-foot-long red carpet rolled out on the tarmac beside Xi’s plane at the Maryland military base that hosts Air Force One.

A military band played, and cannons blasted ceremonial fire as they greeted each other. Trump winced as a loud B-1 military bomber flew overhead. The leaders then went their separate ways, ahead of meetings scheduled for Thursday.

With reporting by Reuters. Edited by Charlie Dharapak.