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BackUS President Trump's new White House helipad unlikely to be used by Xi Jinping during state visit due to Chinese security protocol
US President Trump's new White House helipad unlikely to be used by Xi Jinping during state visit due to Chinese security protocol
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SCMP Economy57 minutes agoPolitics1 min readChina

US President Trump's new White House helipad unlikely to be used by Xi Jinping during state visit due to Chinese security protocol

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Quick Look

US President Donald Trump has installed a $5 million helipad at the White House to impress Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his first state visit to the US in 11 years, but Chinese security protocol discourages helicopter use by senior leaders, making a ride unlikely despite Trump's efforts to showcase American infrastructure.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Xi Jinping hosted Trump in Beijing four months prior to this visit with elaborate hospitality, prompting Trump to seek reciprocal opportunities to showcase US infrastructure during Xi's first state visit to the US in 11 years.

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US President Donald Trump has been very eager to show off to Chinese leader Xi Jinping his new US$5 million White House helipad, his latest bid to stamp his image on Washington.

While Xi might act impressed and compliment the US president on his latest building project – part of Trump’s bid to match Xi’s splendour-filled hosting four months ago in Beijing and show the Chinese that Americans can build infrastructure too – do not count on Xi actually trying it out with a chopper ride this week during his first state visit to the US in 11 years.

“I’m sure Xi will appear impressed, like, oh, this is really remarkable. I’m never getting on,” said Yun Sun, senior fellow with the Stimson Centre. “I don’t think the Chinese security protocol will allow for a helicopter take-off or landing or for Xi Jinping to take a ride.”

“They know how dangerous that thing is. It’s a flying coffin.”

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • Xi Jinping will not use the White House helipad during his state visit due to Chinese security protocol

    Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

  • Will Trump proceed with the helipad project regardless of Xi's potential use?
  • How will the helipad be used by the Trump administration moving forward?
  • What other infrastructure projects might Trump highlight during the visit?

Related Topics

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PeopleDonald TrumpXi JinpingYun Sun
OrganizationsStimson Centre
PlacesWhite HouseBeijing
Topicsxi jinpingwhite househelipadstate visitchinaus-china relations
This article was originally published by SCMP Economy.

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