Xi Jinping arrives in Washington as Trump gives rare airport welcome to kick off US state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit that began with an unusual gesture from US President Donald Trump, who personally went to Joint Base Andrews to welcome the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan.Trump and first lady Melania Trump were at the Maryland air base for the arrival ceremony, marking a rare occasion in which a US president personally greets a visiting foreign leader at the airport rather than waiting for the guest to arrive at the White House. The visit is Xi's first state visit to Washington in more than a decade.The welcome comes as the US and China remain at odds over trade, artificial intelligence, Iran and Taiwan.