On September 25 local time, President Barack Obama of the US held a grand ceremony at the South Lawn of the White House to welcome President Xi Jinping for his state visit to the US. Xi Jinping stressed in his speech that China and the US have no choice but to seek win-win cooperation. Both sides should work hand-in-hand with great resolve to compose a new chapter in China-US relations.

The Washington, D.C. in September is being refreshed by the breeze and permeated with charming autumn scenery. At about 8:30 a.m., the resonant military music was played, and the guards of honor lined at the South Lawn for greeting. The honor guards, holding national flags of both China and the US, stood at the terrace of the White House facing the South Lawn and steps of the White House in both sides. People from all circles attending the opening ceremony had been waiting at the South Lawn.

At about 9:00 a.m., Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan arrived at the South Lawn by car and were warmly greeted by Barack Obama and his wife. Accompanied by Barack Obama, Xi Jinping walked to the welcome area and stepped on the reviewing stand along the red carpet. The military band played the national anthems of China and the US, and a 21-gun salute was fired. Xi Jinping, accompanied by Barack Obama, reviewed the guard of honor. The military band, in traditional uniform, played flute and bugle, and with music and drumbeats, it walked through the reviewing stand to receive review. The people, waving the national flags of both China and the US cheered to greet Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping warmly shook hands with the representatives in front rows to send his regards to them.

After the reviewing ceremony, Xi Jinping and Barack Obama delivered speeches respectively.

Xi Jinping conveyed the sincere greetings and best wishes to the US people from over 1.3 billion Chinese people. Xi Jinping pointed out that both China and the US are great nations and their peoples are great people. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the bilateral relationship has always braved the wind and waves, forged ahead through ups and downs, and thus scored historic progress.

Xi Jinping stressed that China and the US can score more results by working together than making individual efforts. He comes to the US to join efforts with the country to push bilateral relations for greater progress and deliver more benefits to people of the two countries and the whole world. The two nations should uphold the correct direction of building a new model of major-country relationship, make sure bilateral relationship is defined by peace, respect and cooperation, and ensure continuous progress of bilateral relations along a healthy and stale track. The two countries should strengthen strategic trust, deepen mutual understanding, respect each other's interests and concerns, handle differences and disagreements with broad mind and keep confidence of both peoples in their friendly cooperation. Both sides also need to stick to the cooperation philosophy of win-win cooperation and bring more benefits to people of the two countries and the world through practical actions and concrete cooperation outcome. The two countries also should intensify friendship, promote non-governmental interactions and encourage all circles of the two nations to meet each other half way so as to cement the public opinion basis of China-US relations. Both sides should also promote world peace and development, boost coordination on major international and regional affairs, make concerted efforts to address global challenges, and ultimately build a better world.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the friendship is great. Sincere affections between the Chinese and US people give him full confidence in the future development of China-US relationship. Success comes with dedicated efforts. China and the US have no choice but to seek win-win cooperation. Both sides should work hand-in-hand with great resolve to compose a new chapter in China-US relations.

To show his warm welcome for Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan's visit, Barack Obama greeted them with "Nihao" in Chinese. Barack Obama noted that the US and China enjoy a time-honored friendship, and Xi Jinping's visit is an important witness of bilateral traditional friendship. He is willing to reaffirm that the US welcomes the rise of a stable, prosperous and peaceful China, which not only facilitates global trade and development, but also promotes settlement of such global issues as climate change and the Iranian nuclear issue. Concerted efforts of US and China will contribute to a more secure and prosperous world.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi, and other delegation members of the Chinese side, as well as Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and other US officials were present at the opening ceremony.