Xi Jinping's State Visit

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, arrived in Washington, D.C. this evening. He is here for a whirlwind, two-night state visit before leaving Friday. He will not even be attending the United Nations General Assembly which is in session in New York this week. A number of people have asked me why he has chosen to come at this time, questioning whether anything of substance will take place.

The bar for this visit is admittedly low. There was apparently little advanced planning to set potential deliverables. It is unknown how many business leaders will be in the Chinese delegation (there were dozens when Donald Trump visited China earlier this year) and whether any business deals will be discussed, let alone agreed upon.

No one has high expectations, so what does China get out of this visit? Why is Xi here?

In large part it is a matter of face. The U.S. leader visited China in May, and they discussed a reciprocal visit. Offers were extended. Expectations set. The relationship between America and China has remained relatively stable since then. The over-the-top pomp and circumstance being lavished by the Trump Administration is beyond the point. Returning the visit now honors both sides and the protocol that today’s United States so disdains.

Additionally, President Xi arrives from a position of strength. He is calm and collected, measured and serious. He has a plan for his nation and is attempting to execute it (rough patches notwithstanding). For a recently travel-averse Chinese President, 2026 has been a banner year. In addition to welcoming more than twenty global leaders to China, President Xi has also attended state visits in North Korea, Egypt, and India, all three of which are important to China’s global ambitions. Capping this off with a visit to an America that is writhing in internal conflict and continuing to repel allies and squander soft and hard power around the globe is another opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the world that China is a reliable world leader worthy of engagement.