President Trump invited China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to Washington during a state dinner in Beijing on Thursday, as the two leaders emphasized their cooperation against the ornate backdrop of the Great Hall of the People.
The two walked into the hall side by side to applause and sat next to each other at a table decorated with greenery, a small lake with swans and miniature Chinese-style buildings. A translator facilitated interactions.
The guests, at elaborate place settings amid the hall’s tall red pillars with gold detailing, included Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Tim Cook of Apple, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mr. Xi extended a warm welcome to Mr. Trump and the U.S. delegation, calling the visit a historic occasion and saying that the two leaders have stayed in touch and kept relations “generally stable.”
“We can help each other succeed and advance the well being of the whole world,” Mr. Xi said. “Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals.”
He also tied his efforts to Mr. Trump’s political movement. “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand,” Mr. Xi said.
In his toast, Mr. Trump highlighted longstanding connections between the American and Chinese people, including the role of Chinese workers in laying American railroads. He noted that Benjamin Franklin published the sayings of Confucius in his colonial newspaper.
Now, Chinese people love basketball and wear bluejeans, Mr. Trump said, adding: “The American and Chinese people share much in common.” To conclude, he invited Mr. Xi to the White House on Sept. 24.
After cameras were ushered out of the hall, the meal began. It included Beijing roast duck, beef ribs, pork buns and tiramisu.
Qasim Nauman contributed reporting.
Ana Swanson covers trade and international economics for The Times and is based in Washington. She has been a journalist for more than a decade.
The post Trump Invites Xi to White House During State Dinner in Beijing appeared first on New York Times.
