Trump hails ‘great friendship’ with Chinese president as state visit starts

US President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in the arrival ceremony (Jacquelyn Martin/AP/PA)

US President Donald Trump hailed the “truly great friendship” he has forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly-anticipated state visit.

While Mr Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival, he focused on his long relationship with Mr Xi as the two gathered with aides for opening remarks before formal talks.

Mr Trump said: “From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people.”

The US president said it was a “great privilege” to visit Beijing earlier this year and said Mr Xi showed “spectacular and very beautiful hospitality”.

He said he and the first lady “are honoured to host you” in “the beautiful White House”.