BEIJING – US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit to China aimed at improving relations between the two major world powers.

The Air Force One landed around 2:35 pm at Beijing airport, where Trump and first lady Melania were greeted by the Communist regime’s leaders, a People’s Liberation Army guard of honor and children with the flags of both countries.

Trump and Melania got off the plane about 20 minutes after it landed, walked down the red carpet rolled out for the occasion and rode in a Cadillac limousine.

The US president, during his first visit to China, is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Thursday, when he is set to chair a business forum and the signing of several bilateral agreements in the Great Hall of the People.

The visit comes after Xi and Trump held a meeting in April at the private residence of the American tycoon in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Trump’s agenda on Wednesday includes a series of private activities with Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan

Both the couples are set to visit the Forbidden City, the historic palace that housed Chinese emperors, where they are expected to have tea, besides enjoying an opera performance followed by dinner.