Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony on Thursday morning outside the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing for U.S. President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit to China.
Accompanied by Xi, Trump reviewed the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched a march-past.
The visiting U.S. president was also greeted by a military band and children waving flags and chanting "warm welcome!"
At the invitation of Xi, Trump is on a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday. This is the first U.S. presidential visit to China in almost nine years, after President Xi previously hosted Trump in Beijing in November 2017.
Xi, Trump greeted by Chinese Honor Guard, children waving flags at welcome ceremony
The China Earthquake Administration has initiated a Level-III emergency response on Monday after an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 jolted Gaoxian County, Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred at 00:12 Monday (Beijing Time). The epicenter was monitored at 28.50 degrees north latitude and 104.69 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 6 km.
Residents in Gaoxian County and neighboring Gongxian County reported strong tremors, with furniture visibly displaced indoors. Tremors were also felt in Yibin, and Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan.
No casualties have been reported so far, and local authorities are assessing the impact of the earthquake, said an official from Gaoxian County.
According to local fire and rescue authorities, the first group of 14 rescuers on board three vehicles has reached the epicenter at Shahe Town by 01:00. Local roads remained fully functional, and as of that time, no building collapses or trapped individuals had been found.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.
China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan
China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan
