China’s President Xi Jinping rolled out a grand welcome for Donald Trump during his first state visit to the country since 2017, using the occasion to display diplomatic confidence, cultural prestige, and high-level hospitality that ended with an elaborate nine-course banquet.
Even compared with typical state visits, the level of ceremony, luxury, and references to China’s 3,500-year-old cultural history showed how much importance Beijing placed on the private negotiations happening behind closed doors.
That message was clearest during the lavish state dinner held for the American delegation on Thursday night, May 14. Among the guests were figures such as Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has previously been sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party. They were served a refined selection of dishes, including lobster and beef ribs.
However, while the most powerful guests from the two global superpowers enjoyed a formal banquet, reports suggested that White House staffers and members of the press pool traveling with the president were given Big Macs separately.
That detail may have created one of the rare moments when the McDonald’s-loving Trump might have envied junior staffers. Still, the elegant meal served to senior officials reflected China’s careful use of food as a diplomatic tool.
Trump’s visit focused heavily on the relationship between the United States and China, with both Xi Jinping and the American president presenting a friendly public image while discussing major issues such as tariffs and trade.
What was served at China’s state banquet?
The banquet menu in Beijing stood in clear contrast to the food Trump was served during his recent state visit to the United Kingdom, where the dishes followed a more complex French haute cuisine style.
In China, the menu leaned toward simpler but carefully executed classics, blending Chinese and Western influences. Naturally, no major state banquet in Beijing would feel complete without the country’s iconic dish: Beijing roast duck.
Trump was reportedly served six main dishes:
- Lobster in tomato soup
- Crispy beef ribs
- Beijing roast duck
- Stewed seasonal vegetables
- Slow-cooked salmon with mustard sauce
- Pan-fried pork bun
These were followed by three dessert courses:
- Trumpet shell-shaped pastry
- Tiramisu
- Fruits and ice cream
After the meal, coffee and tea were served to the assembled delegates inside China’s Great Hall of the People.
Although the dinner was very different from Trump’s usual preference for simple food, China’s diplomatic hospitality appeared to leave a positive impression. As he departed on Friday, Trump told reporters that they had “settled a lot of different problems” that others would not have been able to solve.
He also said the two sides had reached “fantastic trade deals” for both countries, though he mentioned only soybeans and oil as examples of agreements made during the visit.
What is the United States’ position on Taiwan?
The United States follows the “One China” policy. This means Washington officially recognizes only one Chinese government, but it does not fully accept Beijing’s position that Taiwan belongs to China. China views Taiwan as a breakaway territory that should eventually be reunified with the mainland and has set 2049 as a long-term target.
The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a fully independent country, having ended formal diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in order to recognize Beijing instead. Today, only a small number of countries, along with the Vatican, formally recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The United States also does not have an official embassy in Taiwan. Instead, it operates through the American Institute in Taiwan.
At the same time, Washington remains one of Taiwan’s most important supporters. The U.S. has been involved in a major arms package for the island, reportedly worth billions of dollars, which has angered Beijing.
Why does China want Taiwan?
Taiwan first came under Chinese control in the 17th century before later falling under Japanese rule.
After the Chinese communist revolution in 1949, the defeated nationalist Kuomintang, or KMT, fled to Taiwan and continued using the name Republic of China, which Taiwan still officially retains.
For Beijing, Taiwan is central to the idea that there is only one Chinese government.
Taiwan also plays a crucial role in the global economy, especially in electronics and semiconductor production. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, known as TSMC, is one of the most important chipmakers in the world.
Geography is another major reason Taiwan matters. The island sits within the “first island chain,” a line of U.S.-friendly territories off China’s eastern coast.
If China gained control of Taiwan, it would expand Beijing’s military reach and strengthen its position over key shipping routes.