Trump and Cabinet officials welcomed by Xi at China’s Great Hall of the People

Later, Trump walked Xi to the U.S. delegation and introduced the Chinese president to them and they exchanged handshakes. While standing next to each other and addressing a group of reporters, Trump was very complimentary about the Chinese president and his country. 

“It’s great, a great place,” Trump said to the media. “China is beautiful.”

After the welcome ceremony, both delegations headed inside to the Great Hall of the People to begin their summit and high-stakes conversations. Before the summit’s important topics were discussed, Trump expressed his gratitude for the festive welcome, calling it “an honor few have ever seen before.”

“President Xi, I want to thank you very much,” Trump said. “First of all, that was an honor like few have ever seen before, and I think I was particularly impressed by those children, they were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious, they couldn’t be better but those children were amazing and they represent so much, and I know they represent so much to you.”