Jumping children, soldiers greet Trump at Beijing airport
China pulled out all the stops for President Donald Trump's arrival in Beijing: honor guard, marching band, jumping children.
The ceremony accompanying Trump's arrival at Beijing's airport on Wednesday afternoon was elaborate even by China's lavish standards. Heads of state are usually given a low-key reception at the airport, with the real pomp and circumstance reserved for his or her arrival at the Great Hall of the People in the center of Beijing.
As he exited Air Force One, Trump and his wife, Melania, were met by Chinese and American dignitaries, soldiers standing stiffly at attention, a band playing martial music and smartly attired children waving miniature Chinese and American flags while chanting "Welcome, welcome."
As Trump's motorcade pulled away, the tempo increased, with children jumping up and down while they waved and chanted. The president and first lady appeared pleased, smiling and accepting flower bouquets, with Trump at one point throwing his arms open and appearing to exclaim "Wow."
Welcoming ceremonies have grown increasingly elaborate under Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has lavished more time and energy on advancing China's diplomatic agenda than any of his predecessors.
That's included devoting hundreds of hours a year to welcoming ceremonies, meetings and receptions, in addition to hosting major multilateral events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting and the G-20 summit.
Trump and his wife will receive the full Great Hall treatment on Wednesday, including, almost definitely, more jumping children.
- Star
