Who accompanies president on foreign visits, how are they selected?

Inside view of a double-deck Boeing 747 aircraft. [Photo/IC]

Q3. Who accompanies President Xi?

A3. Mainly four kinds of dignitaries

1. First Lady Peng Liyuan

Peng has accompanied President Xi in his 10 out of 14 foreign visits since he took office.

Lu Peixin said Peng's agenda would be arranged separately by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if she goes with President Xi.

Besides, the Protocol Department usually appoints a female division chief, a female interpreter, and usually female security personnel to accompany the first lady.

2. Three deputies at the state level

When Chinese President or Premier visits other countries, officials above the provincial level also accompany them.

Lu said the main team includes the first lady, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and the State councilor in charge of diplomacy.

Wang Huning, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Li Zhanshu, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and Yang Jiechi, the State councilor in charge of diplomacy go with President Xi on his every foreign visit. But it depends whether they accompany Xi throughout the whole journey and take the same plane with Xi.