Press corps chaos spills over during Chinese state visit

Christian DatocSeptember 25, 2026

Behind the elaborate events of a White House state visit for Chinese President Xi Jinping, including a military parade, performances, and a state dinner, there are underlying tensions related to press freedoms between the United States and China. The visit featured numerous ceremonial activities such as Trump’s welcoming at Andrews Air Force Base, a tour of Marine One, and a lavish dinner with chinese hospitality. The article highlights the contrast between the public display of diplomacy and the ongoing struggles over media independence and freedom in both nations, set against the backdrop of Trump’s own contentious relationship with the press. Additionally,the piece promotes Washington Examiner’s subscription offerings,emphasizing the importance of informed and autonomous journalism.

Behind the glamor of red carpets, military bands, and a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, the tension between press freedoms in the two nations — and the underlying battle of President Donald Trump’s own war on the media — punctuated Thursday’s White House state visit.

Xi’s 10 a.m. White House arrival on Thursday preceded joint remarks delivered by the two leaders, a full military review complemented by numerous bands and a White House flyover, hours of closed-door bilateral meetings, Trump leading Xi on a personal tour of Marine One and the newly christened White House helipad, and a lavish state dinner in the evening where attendees were treated to sesame-crusted sea bass. The night before, Trump welcomed Xi to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland with a literal, 100-foot-long red carpet, dozens of waving American and Chinese flags, and hundreds of military personnel.