Xi Jinping at the White House: "New strategic direction for our relations"

Xi Jinping: “New strategic direction for our relations"

"Today, President Trump and I had sincere and in-depth exchanges, reaching a common understanding on many issues. This has enriched the constructive and strategically stable relationship between China and the United States with new content, while providing a new strategic orientation for our relations." Chinese President Xi Jinping said this, speaking at the state dinner in his honor at the White House. "China and the US must act as responsible great powers: meet the expectations of their respective peoples, keep up with the times and explore a new model of coexistence between great nations," he added.

"Not long ago, the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of its independence. On that occasion, I sent my congratulations on behalf of the Chinese government and people. The past two centuries have also witnessed friendly exchanges between China and the United States. Over two hundred years ago, soon after gaining independence, the United States turned its gaze to China. Our two countries engaged in trade, exchanging goods to meet each other's needs and enhancing each other's complementary strengths," he added Xi, wearing the traditional Mao Zedong style dress compared to Trump's tuxedo. "President George Washington, in fact, personally acquired a vast collection of Chinese porcelain. More than eighty years ago, the Chinese and American peoples fought side by side against the aggression of Japanese militarism. Together, we opened the famous air route over the Himalayas," he continued. Over fifty years ago, the "ping-pong diplomacy between China and the United States opened the long-closed door to bilateral exchanges. Thanks to the political wisdom contained in a small ball capable of moving the world, the older generation of Chinese and American statesmen - led by Chairman Mao Zedong and President Richard Nixon - began the historic process of normalizing relations between our two countries. The redwood trees donated by President Nixon as a special state gift have taken root in Zhejiang province, where I worked for several years", said the Chinese president, recalling the story of an American citizen named Ronald Sakolski who offered financial support to Yin Yujin, a Chinese woman involved in a tree planting initiative against the advance of the desert. "Recently, Ronald - now elderly - returned to China and was able to see with his own eyes how what was once a desert area had been transformed into a lush forest. This story touches the hearts of many Chinese and represents a shining example of the friendly exchanges between our two peoples."

In-depth analysis

Xi received by Trump: "USA opposes Taiwan independence"

The first ladies

With Donald Trump in a tuxedo and Xi Jinping in the traditional 'Mao suit', the American and Chinese first ladies stole the show at the state dinner hosted at the White House for the Chinese presidential couple. Melania wore a white cotton poplin blouse by Saint Laurent, a black silk headband by Dolce & Gabbana and black brocade trousers with a peony motif by Dolce & Gabbana, as well as the beloved black pumps by Christian Louboutin. Peng Liyuan, on the other hand, wore a long fiery red dress with long sleeves, a mandarin collar, a small V-neck and a full skirt, in the name of tradition: the color red in Chinese culture symbolizes good luck, happiness and prosperity.

The guests

Over a hundred guests representing Big Tech, Wall Street and Washington institutions, starting from the entire Trump administration. The White House has released the list of guests for the state dinner in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, which includes the titans of the technology sector, such as Sam Altman (OpenAi) and Elon Musk (SpaceX and Tesla). There are the Supreme Court justices recently attacked by Trump, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts and the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh. At the main table, there are Donald and Melania Trump, the Chinese presidential couple, Elon Musk (Space X), Tim Cook (Apple) and Jensen Huang (Nvidia). Also on the list is Lisa Su, number one of the chip giant AMD: Su and Huang are not only cousins, but also two successful Taiwanese. Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Michael Dell (Dell) and Sundar Pichai (Google) were present. And then Jane Fraser (Citigroup), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Stephen Schwarzman (Blackstone), Jamie Dimon (JpMorgan), Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm), Albert Bourla (Pfizer), Larry Fink (Blackrock) and David Ellison (Paramount Skydance). And, as always, numerous members of the Trump family: Ivanka Trump with her daughter, Melania Trump's father, Eric and Lara Trump, as well as Tiffany Trump with her husband. Finally, the absence of Chinese companies is worthy of note. When Trump went to Beijing in May, he brought with him a large delegation from top-level Corporate America. Several senior Chinese company executives had arrived in Washington shortly before the summit, but had traveled to the United States separately from Xi's delegation. Many of China's major internet and automotive companies are on US sanctions lists due to their ties to the Chinese military, so including them would have posed a challenge for US officials.

In-depth analysis

Peng Liyuan, who is the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping