Chinese President Xi Jinping began his first visit to the United States in six years on Tuesday in his bulletproof, 18-foot-long Hongqi limousine.
He came to California for a high-profile meeting with President Joe Biden and attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
President Xi descended the steps of his Air China jet on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport and headed straight to his motorcade to his hotel.
His custom-made Hongqi, codenamed N701, costs at least $700,000 and is equipped with anti-missile panels, thick bulletproof windows and systems to protect against biological and chemical weapons.
But the Chinese vehicle is dwarfed by President Biden’s 10-ton Cadillac, worth $1.5 million and equipped with night vision cameras, tear gas cannons and eight inches of armor.
Chinese President Xi Jinping began his first visit to the United States in six years on Tuesday in his bulletproof, 18-foot-long Hongqi limousine
His custom-made Hongqi, codenamed N701, costs at least $700,000 and is equipped with anti-missile panels, thick bulletproof windows and systems to protect against biological and chemical weapons
But the Chinese vehicle is dwarfed by President Biden’s 10-ton Cadillac, worth $1.5 million and equipped with night vision cameras, tear gas cannons and eight inches of armor
Hongqi means “Red Flag” in English and is a subsidiary of automaker FAW Car Co, the oldest automobile manufacturer in China.
The company was founded in 1959 with the primary purpose of producing vehicles for high-ranking government officials.
President Xi’s N701, modified from the Hongqi L5, has been described as China’s version of the Rolls-Royce Phanton, but more exclusive, more expensive and more imposing.
The luxury sedan is 18 feet long, weighs at least 3.1 tons and is powered by a six-liter V12 turbocharged engine that produces 408 horsepower.
It was heavily modified to protect the Chinese President and has numerous special functions.
Although many of the specifications are state secrets, the car features anti-missile armor to withstand heavy fire and direct bomb strikes.
It also features solid 21-inch rubber wheels that are bulletproof, has chemical and biological weapons protection systems, and thick, reinforced bulletproof glass.
The official state car, debuted during President Xi’s visit to Hong Kong on July 1, 2022, can reach speeds of at least 136 miles per hour.
The front of the N701 also features Hongqi’s famous red flag motif stretching across the hood, and there are two small flag holders on the fenders. Hongqi will only build 50 models in the next 10 years.
President Xi told a Communist Party cadre in 2012 that China’s leaders should only use Chinese cars.
“It doesn’t look right to sit in a foreign car.” “Many foreign leaders use their own country’s limousines unless there are none,” he said.
The first time he transferred New Zealand-made vehicles during a state visit was in New Zealand in 2014, where he transported two Hongqi L5 cars.
The L5 was first produced in 2014 and is considered the most expensive car ever made in China at $700,000.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s motorcade prepares for departure after arriving at San Francisco International Airport
President Xi’s N701, modified from the Hongqi L5, has been described as China’s version of the Rolls-Royce Phanton, but more exclusive, more expensive and more imposing
The luxury sedan is 18 feet long, weighs at least 3.1 tons and is powered by a six-liter V12 turbocharged engine that produces 408 horsepower
President Xi told a Communist Party cadre in 2012 that China’s leaders should only use Chinese cars
But the N701 pales in comparison to President Biden’s beast.
His vehicle’s doors weigh as much as those of a Boeing 757 aircraft and its tires are fitted with run-flat tires, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when deflated.
The US President can also use a state-of-the-art communications system built into the approximately 20,000 pound beast.
There is also a secure oxygen system and a supply of the president’s own blood in case of emergencies.
The beast was built to withstand chemical and biological attacks as well as bullets and explosions, and its chassis is said to be virtually “indestructible.”
Its windows are said to be three inches thick, while the steel-ceramic armor is said to be 20 inches thick.
In the rear compartment of the car, the president and up to four passengers are separated from the driver by a glass partition.
The president is the only one who can lower the partition at the push of a button.
While many of the Beast’s features remain top secret, its trunk is also equipped with a fire suppression system and tear and smoke screens.
There is a satellite phone in the back seats with a direct line to Vice President Kamala Harris and the Pentagon.
Biden’s beast’s doors weigh as much as those of a Boeing 757 plane, and its tires are pneumatic run-flat tires, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when deflated
The beast was built to withstand chemical and biological attacks as well as bullets and explosions, and its chassis is said to be virtually “indestructible.”
Biden’s summit with President Xi will be the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders in a year and has been touted by U.S. officials as an opportunity to reduce tensions
And the beast’s fuel tank is armored and filled with special foam that prevents it from exploding even in the event of a direct hit.
Developed by General Motors, the vehicle’s chassis is made of steel, while the body is made of a combination of steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic.
Xi is on his first visit to the United States since 2017. He will meet Biden on Wednesday morning at an undisclosed location in the San Francisco Bay Area and then attend the annual APEC forum summit.
His summit with Biden will be the first face-to-face meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders in a year and has been touted by U.S. officials as an opportunity to ease tensions in what many see as the world’s most dangerous rivalry.
Xi waved from the steps of his Air China plane upon arrival and descended to meet US officials on the tarmac, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.
Biden previously said he wanted to improve ties with China after a period of strained relations and would seek to resume normal communications between the two superpowers, including military-to-military contacts.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Biden and Xi would also discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza as well as U.S. efforts to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian military.
Economic issues will be high on the agenda.
Biden said the US does not want to decouple from China, but rather change economic relations for the better. His administration has made pushes to de-risk some key U.S. supply chains from China as the two countries’ economic and military competition has increased.
Xi, who is trying to attract foreign investment during APEC to counter his country’s recent difficulties, is expected to dine with top U.S. business leaders on Wednesday.