Trump delighted to welcome Xi to White House after "spectacular" Beijing visit

U.S. President Donald Trump held a welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday and expressed his delight at hosting a reciprocal visit for Xi following his own trip to China earlier this year.

At the invitation of Trump, Xi is paying a state visit to the U.S. from Wednesday to Friday. It comes just months after Trump had himself completed a state visit to China back in May.

The two heads of state each delivered addresses at the White House as part of Thursday's welcome ceremony.

In his speech, Trump extended a warm welcome to President Xi, his wife Peng Liyuan, and members of the Chinese delegation, saying it was a great honor to receive them, while citing his own recent visit to the Chinese capital.

"President Xi, Madam Peng, and the members of the Chinese delegation, I'm delighted to welcome you to the beautiful White House -- such a great honor. In May, we had the great privilege of visiting you in Beijing, where you received our delegation with spectacular and very beautiful hospitality. Now Melania and I are honored to host you in Washington," Trump said.

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 161.61 points, or 0.31 percent, to 51,349.98. The S and P 500 sank 1.9 points, or 0.02 percent, to 7,704.13. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 3.34 points, or 0.01 percent, to 26,939.37.

Seven of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in the red, with utilities and materials leading the laggards by losing 1.02 percent and 1.01 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, communication services and health led the gainers by going up 1.92 percent and 0.65 percent, respectively.