Live: Trump to host Xi at lavish White House dinner with tech leaders

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have hosted a welcome ceremony at the White House for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.The two leaders then held talks on issues including artificial intelligence, Iran and the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.Later today, Mr Xi is expected to join Mr Trump for a state dinner at the White House with tech and business leaders also on the guest list.Follow live.Fri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:48amFri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:48amXi calls for stable US-China tiesXi addressed the welcome ceremony at the White House earlier.He once again called for the United States and China to build a relationship with "constructive strategic stability", according to China's state news agency Xinhua.Xi said the two countries had a historic responsibility to promote human development and progress amid global changes.He said he was ready to work with Trump to steer the relationship towards stable and sustained development.Xi outlined three priorities: strengthening communication, pursuing sincere cooperation and maintaining peaceful coexistence.Fri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:40amFri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:40amTrump media ban overturnedBy North American corresponent Kamin GockCNN, Politico and MS NOW journalists who Donald Trump banned from the White House are now back on the grounds.A judge overnight ordered that their access be reinstated immediately, deeming the White House's decision likely unconstitutional.But this morning in DC, journalists from those outlets were still denied entry and some had their passes confiscated — despite the judge's ruling.It led to the outlets requesting an emergency hearing in court and around lunch time the reporters were allowed back in.I've spent the early afternoon set up next to MS NOW as the journalists cross live retelling their experiences trying to get back into the White House.MS NOW Journalists back reporting at the White House. (ABC News: Kamin Gock)(ABC News: Kamin Gock)Fri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:35amFri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:35amStrong security presence at White HouseBy North America correspondent Kamin GockSecurity around the White House is extremely tight and noticeably stricter than when Trump has hosted other foreign dignitaries.There are multiple road closures and check points in place where you are required to show your credentials. Around the White House complex it's teeming with Secret Service and Chinese authorities.During the welcome ceremony I could see multiple snipers set up along rooftops as well as other personnel on the ground.This is all to be expected when two of the most powerful leaders meet in the one place but nevertheless it's quite the spectacle and disruption for everyday workers in DC.Fri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:31amFri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:31amWhat's happened so far?While most of us in Australia slept, Xi and Trump held meetings in Washington.China's president told Trump that AI must stay in human control and that he wanted better communication with the US military.Chinese state media also reported that the pair discussed Taiwan and Iran.There was of course plenty of pomp and ceremony too to welcome Xi to the White House.You can catch up on everything right here:Fri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:23amFri 25 Sep 2026 at 7:23amGood morningHello and welcome to our live coverage of Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington to meet with Donald Trump.After meetings that covered AI, Iran and Taiwan, the pair are set to dine together at a lavish state dinner at the White House with tech and business leaders.Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments.