State visit
A state visit is a formal visit by the head of a sovereign country to another sovereign country, at the invitation of the head of state of that foreign country, with the latter also acting as the official host for the duration of the state visit. Speaking for the host, it is generally called a state reception. State visits are considered to be the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between two sovereign states, and are in general characterised by an emphasis on official public ceremonies.
A less formal visit, with less emphasis on ceremonial events, can be classified in descending order of formality as an official visit, an official working visit, a working visit, a guest-of-government visit, or a private visit.
In parliamentary democracies, while heads of state may formally issue and accept invitations, they do so on the advice of their heads of government, who usually decide on when the invitation is to be issued or accepted in advance.
Queen Elizabeth II was the most travelled head of state in world history, having made 261 official overseas visits and 96 state visits to 116 countries by the time of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Although she was sovereign of each of the Commonwealth realms, in practice, she usually performed full state visits as Queen of the United Kingdom, while the relevant governor-general undertook state visits for their respective country on the sovereign's behalf. However, the Queen occasionally made some state and official visits representing one of her other Commonwealth realms.
Components of a state visit
State visits typically involve some or all the following components :- The visiting head of state is immediately greeted upon arrival by the host and by their ambassador accredited to the host country.
- A 21-gun salute is fired in honor of the visiting head of state.
- The playing of the two national anthems by a military band. The guest country's anthem is usually played first.
- A review of a military guard of honour.
- The visiting head of state is formally introduced to senior officials/representatives of the host country and the hosting head of state is introduced to the delegation accompanying the visiting head of state.
- An exchange of gifts between the two heads of state.
- A state dinner, either white tie or black tie, is celebrated by the hosting head of state, with the visiting head of state being the guest of honour.
- A visit to the legislature of the host country, often with the visiting head of state being invited to deliver a formal address to the assembled members of the legislature.
- High-profile visits by the visiting heads of state to host country landmarks such as laying a wreath at a military shrine or cemetery.
- The staging of cultural events celebrating links between the two nations.
The visiting head of state is usually accompanied by a senior government minister, usually by a foreign minister. Behind the diplomatic protocol, delegations made up from trade organizations also accompany the visiting head of state, offer an opportunity to network and develop economic, cultural, and social links with industry leaders in the nation being visited. At the end of a state visit, the foreign head of state traditionally issues a formal invitation to the head of state of the nation being visited who at another time in the future, would pay a reciprocal state visit.
While the costs of a state visit are usually borne by state funds of the host country, most nations host fewer than ten state visits per year, with some as few as two. Most foreign heads of state will stay in the official residence of the head of state who is hosting the state visit, in a guest house reserved for foreign visitors, or in their own nation's embassy located in the foreign nation being visited.
State visits by well-known global leaders or figures, such as the British monarch, the president of the United States or the pope, often draw much publicity and large crowds. Occasionally, these include protesters.
State visits by country
Armenia
State visits to Armenia are held in the capital of Yerevan, with a welcoming ceremony usually being held at Zvartnots International Airport. Foreign heads of state are welcomed at the President's Residence while heads of government are welcomed at the Residence of the Prime Minister. These visits consist of the following components:Since 1991, foreign leaders who embark on visits to Armenia have paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian genocide at the Tsitsernakaberd complex. During a visit to the complex, most leaders receive a tour of the museum, plant trees near the memorial, and lay wreaths at the eternal flame.
Belgium
A state visit in Belgium starts with an inspection of the troops in front of the Royal Palace of Brussels, whereafter the King and Queen have a private audience with the visiting head of state and their spouse. The first day of the state visit traditionally comes to a close with a state banquet at the Royal Palace of Laeken, which is the official residence of the King and Queen of the Belgians.It is customary to be awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold during state visits.
Canada
The Office of Protocol coordinates the operational aspects of state and official visits to Canada and manages all events that are related to the visit. It also defines the protocol standards for state visits of heads of state and government.The Governor General's Foot Guards, one of two household foot guards, take part in state and official visits to Ottawa. Arrival ceremonies take place at either Parliament Hill or Rideau Hall, where the visitor will be received by the governor general of Canada or prime minister of Canada. State visits also include a visit to the National War Memorial.
State and official visits by Canada are performed by the Canadian monarch or a representative—the governor general, a lieutenant governor, or another member of the royal family. The first state visit by Canada was to the United States in 1937, when the US accorded the governor general the equivalent status given to a visiting head of state.
Tours of Canada by the country's monarch are not state or official visits, as the monarch conducts royal tours in his capacity as the Canadian head of state, not as a foreign head of state. Additionally, because the Canadian sovereign is shared with 14 other Commonwealth realms, state visits are not conducted between realms, with official visits performed by the realms' respective governor-general, or prime minister.
People's Republic of China
State arrival ceremonies in China take place at the East Court of the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The guard of honour for the ceremony is provided by the Beijing Garrison Honor Guard, with musical accompaniment provided by the Central Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China.As the military band plays the national anthems of the two countries, an artillery battery fires a 21-gun salute. After the band finishes its performance, the two leaders then inspect the guard of honour at the invitation of the guard commander. Following the inspection, both leaders embrace schoolchildren who wave flowers and the flags of both countries. At this time, the band performs a military march or folk song from the guest country. If a prime minister or chancellor or crown prince visits China, the welcoming ceremony is held by the premier. If a president, governor-general or king visits, the welcoming ceremony is held by the president.
The People's Liberation Army Honor Guard then marches off the square to the tune of the March of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The ceremony ends with the marching band of the PLA performing an exhibition of military drill.
During state visits, national awards are presented to visiting dignitaries, including the Order of Friendship. Since 1954, the State Protection Unit has provided motorcades for visiting dignitaries traveling from the airport to their meeting place.
Republic of China (Taiwan)
A 30-minute ceremony at the Plaza of the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei takes place to honor visiting dignitaries to the Republic of China. After the anthems are played, the president escorts the visitor past the tri-service honor guard of the Republic of China Armed Forces, led by a colonel. After inspecting the troops, the president of Taiwan delivers welcome remarks, after which the foreign leader speaks, before receiving a key to the city from the mayor of Taipei, and the director of the Department of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then introducing members of the cabinet to the dignitary and members of the delegation to the ROC president.Czech Republic
The military welcome accorded to foreign leaders at Prague Castle are provided by troops of the Prague Castle Guard, Honor Guard of the Czech Armed Forces, the Czech Army Central Band, the Band of the Castle Guards and Police and units of the Prague Garrison Command.Finland
The Protocol Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for arranging high-level international visits and Finland's own state events. The task of the protocol services is to take care of receiving, escorting, accommodation, transportation and meal arrangements for guests.In Finland, state visits usually follow a certain pattern that has already become a tradition. The official reception ceremonies take place in front of the Presidential Palace or alternatively at Helsinki Airport. At the reception ceremony, the head of the visiting country, together with the President of Finland, inspects the guard of honor to the rhythm of the Björneborgarnas marsch. After the inspection of the honor guard and the performance of the national anthems, the heads of state greet the public from the balcony of the Presidential Palace, from where they move to the yellow salon to drink welcome toasts, take official photos and exchange gifts and badges of honor.
Usually, the official program includes at least the laying a wreath on Marshal Mannerheim's grave at the Hietaniemi Cemetery, and a visit to the Parliament House or the Helsinki City Hall. The visit usually ends with state dinners held at the Presidential Palace, where the heads of state give their speeches.