First Lady Melania Trump highlighted art, cultural exchange and youth during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, D.C., as the White House hosted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a series of diplomatic and cultural events.
According to a report by The White House, the visit included a South Lawn arrival ceremony, a Smithsonian cultural program, a White House state dinner, a tea meeting and a visit to the National Archives.
What Happened During Xi’s State Visit
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan to Washington during the state visit, which began with a formal arrival ceremony on September 24.
The ceremony featured a military review and performances by U.S. military musical and ceremonial units. It concluded with a flyover involving a B-2 Spirit and four F-22 Raptors.
The events continued beyond the formal diplomatic program, with Melania Trump and Peng participating in cultural activities designed to highlight American and Chinese artistic traditions.
Melania Trump and Peng Visit Smithsonian
Melania Trump hosted Peng Liyuan at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art following the arrival ceremony.
The two viewed works spanning different periods of Chinese and American artistic history, including a notched jade disk from China’s Shang dynasty and an 18th-century Qianlong-period Chinese porcelain vase.
They also visited the museum’s Peacock Room, created by American artist James McNeill Whistler. The program focused on centuries of artistic achievement and cultural exchange between the two countries.
The visit concluded with a performance by the youth choir from Hope Chinese School. The children performed “Jasmine Flower” and “Songs & Smiles” for the two first ladies.
State Dinner Brings U.S. and Chinese Influences Together
Melania Trump also led preparations for the state dinner held in the White House East Room.
The dinner combined American culinary traditions with subtle Chinese influences, adding a cultural element to the formal diplomatic program.
The First Lady said art and culture can help connect generations and create greater appreciation between people from different countries. Her remarks framed cultural exchange as part of the broader relationship between the United States and China.
Xi and Trump Visit the National Archives
On Friday, September 25, Trump and Melania Trump welcomed Xi and Peng to the White House for tea in the Red Room.
The couples then traveled to the National Archives, where they viewed historical records and documents connected to America’s 250th birthday and the history of U.S.-China relations.
The National Archives visit provided a historical setting for the final portion of the state visit. The couples viewed the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights during the visit, according to Associated Press reporting.
The state visit concluded at the National Archives, where Trump and Melania Trump said farewell to Xi and Peng.
Cultural Diplomacy During the U.S.-China Visit
The cultural events were part of a broader state visit involving the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.
While the White House account emphasized art, history and cultural exchange, the visit also included meetings between Trump and Xi focused on the wider U.S.-China relationship. Xi’s visit ended with plans for the two presidents to meet again later in 2026, according to Associated Press reporting.
The inclusion of museums, historical documents, ceremonial events and youth performances gave the state visit a cultural and historical dimension alongside its diplomatic agenda.
Melania Trump’s program with Peng Liyuan particularly emphasized the role of art, education and younger generations in fostering connections between Americans and Chinese.
What Happens Next
The conclusion of Xi’s Washington visit marked the end of a three-day state visit, but further meetings between Trump and Xi are expected later in the year.
For the White House, the cultural program surrounding the visit provided another avenue for highlighting U.S.-China connections beyond formal government negotiations. The events also underscored how cultural diplomacy can accompany high-level state relations through shared history, artistic traditions and engagement with younger generations.
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Melania Trump hosted Peng Liyuan at the Smithsonian, helped prepare the state dinner and joined the presidents at the National Archives.
The program included a Smithsonian museum visit, Chinese and American art displays, a youth choir performance and a visit to the National Archives.