Xi Jinping wore a Chinese tunic suit at the state banquet to send a message: China accepts courtesy but does not change its true character

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to wear a Chinese tunic suit when attending a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Trump, which revealed the essence of the relationship between the two people throughout the day. Trump's grand pomp could not conceal the major differences and competition between the United States and China.

Reports said that Trump wore a crisp suit and black tie at the state banquet; Xi Jinping wore a Chinese tunic suit, a turtleneck that has long been associated with the authority of the Communist Party, and his choice seemed to reveal the essence of their relationship.

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Trump praised his relationship with Xi Jinping, giving him a bald eagle statue and saying their relationship "has never been better." But Xi Jinping’s response was not equally enthusiastic.

It is reported that Trump sees this as a personal friendship that can influence the direction of the situation; Xi Jinping sees it as a useful tool, but it needs to be handled with care. This asymmetry runs through U.S.-China diplomacy during the Trump administration.

Joseph Torigian, a scholar who studies Chinese leadership and politics, said: "Perhaps what Xi Jinping wants to convey is, 'Even if we don't change our national conditions, you still recognize us; we can win such treatment while still maintaining our true colors and wearing such clothes.' In his view, this kind of treatment is purely out of utilitarian considerations."

The gesture reversed the most familiar episode in the history of U.S.-China détente. In 1979, China's then leader Deng Xiaoping visited the United States, eager to connect China's reforming country with the West. He put on a cowboy hat in Texas at that time, which became a classic image. This time, nearly half a century later, Xi Jinping arrived wearing a Chinese tunic suit, sending the opposite message: China will accept everything Washington has to offer but will not make any changes to itself.

The report mentioned that the courtesy of the Trump administration seems to be reflected in every detail. On the official dinner program, the visiting Chinese delegation was marked as CPC (Communist Party of China), which is preferred by Beijing, rather than CCP (Chinese Communist Party), which is another English abbreviation for "Chinese Communist Party" that US officials are increasingly condemning. This detail, perhaps unintentional, cost Washington nothing, but gave Beijing a small symbolic victory.

The report also said that Trump personally went to the tarmac to greet Xi Jinping, a courtesy rarely given by a US president; he praised Chinese state media for being friendlier than the US own media, and also refuted rampant outside speculation about Xi Jinping's health. "He looks strong, spirited, healthy and better than ever," he wrote on social media yesterday.

When Xi Jinping arrived at the State Banquet Hall, protesters outside the venue could be heard shouting slogans. However, people who attended the dinner revealed that after Xi Jinping entered the venue, about 30 to 40 guests raised their glasses to greet him and asked for photos.

However, the grand pomp and circumstance cannot hide the major differences and competitions in US-China relations, and the US has achieved little in substance. This enthusiasm has drawn criticism from members of both parties in the United States, which is undoubtedly an embarrassing situation for Trump's own Republicans who are facing the November midterm elections.

Although it was widely expected that Xi Jinping would bring a Chinese business delegation to visit, in the end, no senior Chinese business executives attended the state banquet. People familiar with the matter revealed that the arrangement was chaotic and there was miscommunication between the two parties. China had originally agreed to send business executives to the United States and asked the United States for details.

The report pointed out that despite the excitement, the two leaders ended the day not much different from the beginning: Trump was celebrating a friendship, while Xi Jinping, in his Mao suit, represented no concessions to the system.

Neither the White House nor the Chinese Embassy in the United States responded to requests for comment.