On Thursday, President Donald Trump participated in a state banquet held in his honor by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. This event marked the most formal ceremony of Trump's state visit to China from May 13 to 15.
The White House's official account on X shared a video capturing Trump and his delegation entering the grand building, known for its golden-paneled walls and red columns adorned with golden ornaments, creating an atmosphere of utmost diplomatic solemnity.
The banquet capped off a busy day that began with a formal welcome ceremony on the steps of the Great Hall. The event featured a 21-gun salute and the American national anthem performed by a military band, followed by a bilateral meeting lasting approximately two and a half hours, and a cultural excursion to the Temple of Heaven.
During the bilateral meeting, Trump described the encounter as "probably the greatest summit in history" and expressed optimism, stating, "The relationship between China and the U.S. is going to be better than ever."
President Xi, on the other hand, initiated the meeting by urging Washington to "be partners and not rivals," highlighting that "the common interests of China and the U.S. outweigh their differences."
Trump also emphasized the caliber of his business delegation: "I didn’t want the second or third in command from companies; I wanted only the best, and they are here today to pay their respects to you and China."
The delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with business leaders Elon Musk (Tesla), Tim Cook (Apple), and Jensen Huang (Nvidia), who joined last-minute during a stopover in Alaska by Air Force One.
Trump arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Wednesday at 7:50 PM local time aboard Air Force One, welcomed by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in a red-carpet ceremony with military honors.
This visit marks the first by a sitting U.S. president to China in nearly nine years and Trump's first trip to the Asian nation since November 2017, when Xi hosted a private banquet in the Forbidden City.
Unlike the previous visit, Melania Trump did not accompany the president on this trip.
The summit is part of a commercial détente process initiated after a truce agreed upon in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025, which suspended tariffs that had escalated to 145% by Washington and 125% by Beijing.
The banquet menu likely featured Huaiyang cuisine, with dishes such as "lion's head" pork meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice, sweet and sour fish, and Wensi tofu, considered the pinnacle of Chinese culinary diplomacy.
Chatham House warned that "the short agenda reflects a shared preference for managing rivalry rather than resolving it," summarizing the tone of a summit rich in symbolic gestures but still fraught with unresolved structural tensions concerning Taiwan, technology, and global competition.
Key Highlights of Trump's Visit to China
What was the purpose of Trump's visit to China?
The visit aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties between China and the U.S., focusing on managing trade tensions and exploring cooperation in various sectors.
Who were the key members of Trump's delegation?
Key members included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and business leaders like Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang.
What were some highlights of the state banquet menu?
The menu featured Huaiyang cuisine, including dishes such as "lion's head" pork meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice, sweet and sour fish, and Wensi tofu.