dexinwin WASHINGTON, September 25, 2026— The United States staged a high-profile welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit to Washington, combining traditional diplomatic protocol with a striking display of American military aviation.
Trump personally traveled to Joint Base Andrews to welcome Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on September 23. The ceremony featured a red carpet, an honor guard, the national anthems of China and the United States, a 21-gun salute and a military flyover. Among the aircraft involved in the ceremonial events were the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit and F-22 Raptor.
Trump Personally Welcomes Xi at Andrews
Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on September 23 for a state visit at Trump's invitation.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally greeted Xi and Peng at the military airfield before accompanying them through the formal arrival ceremony.
The highly choreographed welcome included an honor guard standing along the red carpet, military music and the national anthems of both countries. A 21-gun salute was also conducted as part of the ceremony.
Children presented flowers to Xi and Peng, while U.S. military aircraft flew overhead in a ceremonial salute.
The combination of presidential participation and military protocol gave the arrival ceremony a particularly formal character.
B-1B Lancers Appear Over Andrews
Among the aircraft involved in the arrival ceremony were two B-1B Lancer strategic bombers.
The B-1B is one of the U.S. Air Force's long-range bomber aircraft and is designed for long-distance missions and the delivery of conventional weapons.
The appearance of the B-1B during Xi's arrival was part of the ceremonial flyover rather than a military operation connected to the visit.
The aircraft nevertheless attracted attention because of its distinctive appearance and its status as one of the most recognizable components of the U.S. long-range bomber fleet.
B-2 and F-22 Return for the White House Ceremony
The aircraft lineup became even more notable the following day.
During the formal welcome ceremony for Xi at the White House on September 24, a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flew over the White House accompanied by four F-22 Raptor fighter jets.
The combination brought together two of the most recognizable aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's high-end combat aviation inventory.
The B-2 is a stealth strategic bomber designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace, while the F-22 is an advanced air-superiority fighter.
Their appearance gave the formal diplomatic ceremony a distinctly American military aviation backdrop.
Why These Aircraft Attracted Attention
Military aircraft flyovers are not unusual elements of major state ceremonies in Washington.
Such displays can serve a ceremonial purpose, demonstrating the host country's military traditions and adding a formal visual element to the arrival of a visiting head of state.
The selection of the B-1B, B-2 and F-22 was nevertheless notable because all three are highly recognizable aircraft associated with the United States' long-range strike or advanced air-combat capabilities.
The B-2 is particularly distinctive because of its flying-wing design and stealth characteristics. The F-22, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of the most advanced fighter aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force.
Their appearance should therefore be understood primarily in the context of the ceremonial program rather than as an indication of military activity related to Xi's visit.
From Andrews to the White House
The aircraft flyovers were only one element of a broader series of high-level ceremonial events.
After arriving at Andrews, Xi traveled to Washington for the state visit. On September 24, Trump hosted a formal welcome ceremony at the White House before the two presidents held talks.
The two leaders also appeared together during the official proceedings and later attended a state dinner hosted by Trump and Melania Trump.
The sequence of events underscored the importance Washington placed on the visit while providing a highly visible setting for direct communication between the two presidents.
A High-Profile Moment in China-U.S. Relations
Xi's visit came at a time when Beijing and Washington continued to manage a complicated bilateral relationship involving trade, technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and other issues.
Reuters reported ahead of the visit that the two leaders were expected to discuss economic and strategic issues during their Washington meetings.
Against that background, the formal ceremonies surrounding Xi's arrival attracted international attention.
Trump's decision to personally greet Xi at Andrews, the 21-gun salute and the appearance of advanced U.S. military aircraft all became prominent visual elements of the visit.
At the same time, ceremonial displays do not by themselves indicate agreement on substantive policy issues. The practical impact of the visit will ultimately depend on the discussions between the two governments and subsequent implementation of any agreements.
A Striking Display Over Washington
From the B-1B Lancers over Andrews to the B-2 Spirit and F-22 Raptors over the White House, the aircraft became one of the most visually striking aspects of Xi's state visit.
The scenes combined traditional diplomacy with modern military aviation: a visiting head of state walking along a red carpet, national anthems playing on the ground and some of America's most recognizable military aircraft crossing the sky above.
For observers of the visit, the images offered a memorable snapshot of the elaborate protocol surrounding a state visit by the Chinese president.
Behind those images, however, the more consequential story remains the diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Washington and whether the high-level meetings can produce concrete progress on the issues facing the two countries.
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