In photos: Beijing state banquet sets the table for Trump and Xi reset
When Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping sat down to a lavish state banquet in Beijing on Thursday, the menu itself read like a work of diplomacy. Chinese state dinners traditionally draw on Huaiyang cuisine, from the region surrounding Shanghai, known for its mild, subtle flavours, refined knife-work and emphasis on seasonal dishes.
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by children during a ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Thursday.Evan Vucci/Reuters
China's President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a state banquet.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
For decades, China has used the powerful symbolism of food when receiving distinguished foreign visitors.Evan Vucci/Reuters
Chinese state dinners traditionally draw on Huaiyang cuisine, from the region surrounding Shanghai, known for its mild, subtle flavours.Evan Vucci/Reuters
Apple CEO Tim Cook was among the business leaders invited to Beijing.Alex Wong/Getty Images
Elon Musk has been the object of love - and occasional loathing - in ChinaMark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Eric Trump and wife Lara arrive at the state dinner.Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Blackstone chairman and CEO Stephen Schwarzman attends the state banquet.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Xi and Trump inspect an honour guard during a welcome ceremony.Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
A giant screen at a shopping area shows news footage of the U.S.-China meeting.Tingshu Wang/Reuters
With Trump’s approval ratings dented by a war with Iran, the first visit by a U.S. president to China in nearly a decade has taken on added significance.Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Xi told Trump that trade talks were making progress at the start of a two-day summit.Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Chinese People's Liberation Army honour guards rehearse before the welcome ceremony.Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, second from right, leaves after attending a state banquet.Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press