Obama’s greet President Xi and first lady for state dinner

World Today

Obama's greet President Xi and first lady for state dinner

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan to the White House for a state dinner.

The black-tie dinner is being held in honor of Xi, who is in Washington on a state visit. China’s leader and Obama met for several hours at the White House earlier Friday.

A 21-gun salute heralded his arrival for those talks. Xi was also treated to a State Department lunch with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and others. A state dinner is the glitzy end to a state visit.

First lady Michelle Obama arrived at the state dinner wearing a black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown, with her long hair swept to the side.

The White House says the dress was designed by Vera Wang, who is of Chinese origin. Her parents are from Shanghai and came to the U.S. before Wang was born.

US President Barack Obama (3rd R) and First Lady Michelle Obama (C), alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, take the official photo as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, DC, September 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB

US President Barack Obama (3rd R) and First Lady Michelle Obama (C), alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, take the official photo as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, DC, September 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB

Story from The Associated Press.