Xi Jinping Says He Will Invite 100,000 American Students During DC Visit

Just in: Chinese President Xi Jinping made a big announcement at the White House

“I am glad to announce an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges in study in the coming five years.” pic.twitter.com/og5MCmZ4yL

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) September 24, 2026

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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet President Xi Jinping of China and Madame Peng Liyuan upon their arrival in Washington, D.C., ahead of the state visit at the White House. pic.twitter.com/nm2vGonChM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026

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Xi Jinping also reiterated what he calls “strategic stability” to form the basis of the Sino-American relationship, a framing popularized last October when the two leaders met in Busan in South Korea.

The friendly remarks bely, however, what has been a tense relationship between the two global superpowers. They range from technology to trade to Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social Thursday morning, President Trump wrote that artificial intelligence will be a big topic of discussion in today’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, “but I want to leave it exactly where it is. That is China’s position also. Our guardrail is the DOJ!”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that Washington and Beijing are discussing ways to warn each other about AI incidents that pose national security risks. AI executives in the U.S. have warned each other in recent weeks to slow down their development of the technology in order to ensure public safety. In a response to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s essay titled “We Must Pace the Frontier,” a spokesperson for China’s government dismissed the proposal as unfair, accusing the call for safety rules as an attempt to hold back Chinese competition.

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"President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship actually, built on the mutual respect and the vital interests of our people."

President Trump welcomes President Xi Jinping, Madame Peng Liyuan, and the Chinese delegation to the White House to begin their… pic.twitter.com/48bcpMGRGC

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026

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A military band played as Xi and his wife exited a massive Air China jet while the American president and first lady awaited them on a red carpet at the bottom of the stairs. The arrival ceremony, which included a flyover with two B-1 bombers, was quick, and Mr. Trump and the first lady departed about 10 minutes later.

Later Wednesday, the Chinese government provided an arrival statement on behalf of Xi. “China and the United States should be partners, not rivals,” the statement reads. Xi says he seeks bilateral ties where “cooperation is the mainstay, competition is kept within proper limits, differences are managed and peace can be expected.”

On Thursday morning, the president and first lady Melania Trump will host another arrival ceremony for Xi and his wife on the White House South Lawn. The White House says the ceremony will feature nearly 500 service members from all branches of the U.S. military.

The U.S. and Chinese flags will be displayed on the South Portico, according to the White House. The U.S. Marine Band will play the anthems of both the U.S. and China, the White House says. Then, both Mr. Trump and Xi are expected to speak.

The arrival ceremony is also expected to have a military flyover with a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22s.

The presidents’ spouses are expected to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art on Thursday while Mr. Trump and Xi meet. A state dinner will be Thursday evening.

On Friday, the couples will have tea at the White House before heading to the National Archives. The visit will then conclude.

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