Donald Trump hails ‘great friendship’ with Xi Jinping as Chinese leader visits White House for first time in a decade

Link copied Share Share article Pomp and pageantry were on full display as Donald Trump welcomed Xi Jinping to the White House for the first time in more than a decade.

Scores of military personnel holding Chinese and US flags greeted the Chinese president before Mr Trump guided Mr Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the rose garden for a military review and flyover.

As the lavish reception got underway, Mr Trump praised his "truly great friendship" with the Chinese leader, saying together they had "made tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries".

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch a silent drill platoon review alongside China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. ( AP: Alex Brandon )