First ladies step forward as Trump lays on rare honors for Xi

U.S. first lady Melania Trump is set to lead key cultural diplomacy events during the coming official state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, marking their first visit to the White House since 2015. According to an official itinerary released by the first lady’s office, the three-day visit, scheduled from September 23 to 25, will feature extensive ceremonial honours alongside dedicated cultural exchanges highlighting Sino-American relations. Melania will join U.S. President Donald Trump to officially welcome Peng and President Xi to the White House on Thursday following their scheduled arrival at Joint Base Andrews the previous evening. The SCMP reported on September 17 that Trump would greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews, not only at the White House, a rare presidential airport welcome. The official reception will take place across the South Lawn, State Floor and Rose Garden of the White House. It will begin with military pageantry along the White House grounds, where an Armed Forces honour guard will line the South Drive alongside displayed U.S. and Chinese