US President Donald Trump’s welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping featured a striking display of American airpower, with two B-1B Lancers flying over Joint Base Andrews during Xi’s arrival ceremony. The Chinese leader’s three-day state visit comes amid discussions on trade, technology, rare earths and wider US-China relations.
The flypast has drawn comparisons with Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August 2025, when a B-2 Spirit and F-35 fighters were part of the military display surrounding the summit. Reuters reported that the Alaska meeting focused on the Ukraine war and broader strategic issues.
In Xi’s case, the B-1B flyover was followed by another display involving a B-2 Spirit and F-22 fighters over Washington. The combination showcased different elements of US airpower, including long-range conventional strike capability, stealth and air superiority.
The significance of the flyovers remains a matter of interpretation. Analysts and commentators have viewed such displays as potentially carrying strategic symbolism, particularly when conducted during high-level meetings with US rivals. However, there has been no official statement confirming that the aircraft were specifically intended as a warning to Xi or Putin.
Xi’s visit was marked by extensive ceremonial honours, including a formal welcome at the White House and a state dinner. The two leaders also held talks on several areas of bilateral concern as Washington and Beijing work to manage tensions while maintaining dialogue.
The contrasting B-1 and B-2 appearances have therefore become another visual element of the high-profile diplomacy surrounding Trump’s meetings with Russia and China.
