Travel pool note #3 - Welcome ceremony

POTUS and Xi moved to the raised red and gold dais as the Chinese military band played the Star Spangled Banner. Trump saluted as cannon fire rang out across Tianenmen Square. Both leaders then stood to attention for the Chinese national anthem.

Trump and Xi inspected an honor guard of several lines of Chinese troops in various ceremonial uniforms in blue and white with bayoneted rifles. Nearest us is a group of rifle clutching female troops.

The schoolchildren then energetically did their routine and Trump smiled broadly and applauded them as Xi and he moved along in front of them, mouthing a comment that pool couldn’t make out.

Now they’re back on the dais as Chinese troops march past in lockstep, shouting, led by a soldier holding a large Chinese flag.

The two leaders are now headed toward the Great Hall

Danny Kemp

AFP White House Correspondent