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On the tarmac, standing at attention and saluting, were sailors in their dress whites and an honor guard in service dress blues and campaign hats.

Li was given a red carpet ceremonial send-off and an honor guard as he departed for home later Thursday.

Mr. Xi welcomed Mr. Putin at the Great Hall of the People with a tightly choreographed ceremony featuring a 21-gun salute, a marching band, an honor guard and children jumping and waving in sync.

The honor guards whose goose-stepping rotations fascinated visitors were removed from outside the mausoleum three decades ago.

They joined the Carter family, dozens of Secret Service agents and 1,000-plus other mourners for a service replete with a symphony chorus, honor guards and a grand organ.