Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, visited the U.S. National Archives in Washington during his visit to the U.S. from the 23rd to the 25th. The archives store the most important documents related to U.S. independence. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing during his visit to China in May. The Temple of Heaven was once where emperors performed rituals to heaven, an extremely important place for Chinese history and culture.

While it is not uncommon for national leaders to visit places symbolizing the history and culture of the host country when visiting another nation, during President Trump's visit to the Temple of Heaven Park, President Xi personally greeted and guided him there. During President Xi Jinping and his wife's visit to the National Archives, President Trump and his wife greeted and guided them. Both U.S. and Chinese leaders showed respect for the history and culture of the other country, and the host side responded with the highest diplomatic courtesy. Hong Kong media Phoenix.com published an article introducing the situation where the leaders of both the U.S. and China showed respect for the history of the other country. The following is a re-structured version of that article, including additional information for Japanese readers.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which operates the U.S. National Archives, was established in 1935. Previously, important documents were stored in dispersed locations, but due to issues with safety and storage environment, it was decided to unify and store them in one system.

In the Rotunda (Constitution Hall) of the archives, the three most important documents related to the founding of the United States are displayed. First, the "Declaration of Independence," adopted on July 4, 1776, is a document that declared the separation and independence of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. And the "U.S. Constitution" is the world's oldest written constitution still in effect today. The "Bill of Rights," which came into effect in 1791, was added as an amendment to the Constitution, and its purpose was to guarantee individual civil rights such as freedom of speech and to limit the power of the federal government. However, by also recognizing the right to bear arms, it also led to the problem of a "gun society" in the U.S.

Although the founding of the United States in the 18th century must be said to be "recent" when compared to Chinese history, President Xi Jinping, by personally visiting accompanied by his wife, can be interpreted as having paid respect to U.S. history and culture, and even its spiritual aspect. The U.S. side, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, guided President Xi Jinping and his wife. The U.S. side also "hosted the Chinese leader who paid respect to their country with the highest diplomatic courtesy" for President Xi's delegation visit.

U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Temple of Heaven Park during his visit to China in May. This visit to China was not accompanied by his wife, and at the Temple of Heaven Park, President Xi Jinping personally greeted and guided him. The Temple of Heaven is where emperors offered prayers to heaven, and it symbolizes Chinese history and culture. Again, by President Xi Jinping himself receiving President Trump, who can be understood as having shown respect for China as a nation, the Chinese side demonstrated an extremely high level of diplomatic courtesy.

In the mutual visits of the U.S. and Chinese leaders, itineraries included visits to landmarks that embody the history and ideals of the respective host countries. According to Phoenix.com, when they visited the U.S. National Archives afterwards, a general citizen visitor who responded to their interview explained that "both countries (U.S. and China) can start by understanding each other's history to seek common ground. Although the national conditions of both countries are different, both desire to achieve the happiness of their own people."

Furthermore, on the 23rd, President Trump personally went to Joint Base Andrews near Washington and greeted President Xi Jinping and his wife on the runway. It is extremely unusual for a U.S. President to personally go to an airport to greet a visiting foreign dignitary. When President Trump visited China in May, he was greeted by Vice President Han Zheng upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport. In terms of the reception for the current mutual visits of the U.S. and Chinese leaders, the U.S. side extended a more lavish welcome than the Chinese side.