WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the White House on Thursday during Xi's state visit to the United States.

The leaders attended a formal arrival ceremony featuring military honours, national anthems and a military review before holding talks at the White House.

Trump described his relationship with Xi as a "truly great friendship", saying it had been built on mutual respect and the interests of the two countries' peoples since his first election in 2016.

He said the two sides would discuss trade, security, artificial intelligence and technology, adding that cooperation in these areas could help promote peace and prosperity in...