US and China must act as responsible powers together, Xi says as Trump toasts friendship at state dinner

US President Donald Trump welcomed China President Xi Jinping to the White House for a lavish state dinner where both leaders touted a new chapter in their friendship.

Xi said the countries "must act as responsible major countries to meet the expectations of our peoples" while Trump toasted a future of "harmony, peace and success" for both nations.

While both pledged to ensure stability between them, experts have cautioned Xi's visit is yet to yield obvious progress on pressing issues.

Billionaire business leaders, Trump administration officials and US tech CEOs were among the dinner's guests. Their arrival was marked, however, by protesters shouting from just outside, some of whom were arrested.

Addressing those gathered late on Thursday, Trump thanked Xi for making the long trip to the US, and said the relationship between the two men was strong.

He praised the long history of US-China relations, although he did take an unscripted detour to praise his ongoing ballroom project.

In the off-the-cuff moment, he said as a "special treat" the Chinese leader and his wife could be the first to enter the ballroom, which is still a year away from completion.

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