Xi-Trump banquet: from flasks to US tech titans in attendance, here’s everything you missed

We have put together stories from our coverage of the White House state dinner. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Xi-Trump dinner puts US tech titans in spotlight – what does it mean for ties?If the American guests seated at the head table with President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at Thursday’s White House state dinner were any indication, Washington now views its relationship with Beijing largely through the prism of technology.2. Culinary diplomacy on the menu for Xi and Trump at the White HouseAs Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met at the White House for a state dinner on Thursday, culinary diplomacy was on the menu for the guests who included business leaders and government officials.3. Why did Xi and China’s first lady bring their own flasks to White House banquet?In China, many people carry around a vacuum flask filled with a hot beverage once they pass a certain age as warm liquids are thought to be better for the digestive system. Photo: AFPAmid the polished silverware and fine crystal stemware on display at the state dinner in the White House on Thursday sat the vacuum flasks brought by Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan.4. From wine to ping-pong, Trump and Xi’s state dinner leans on historic symbolismWhen US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in the East Room, every detail of the state dinner was steeped in symbolism, with sparkling wine served as a nod to a pivotal moment in Sino-US relations and references to “ping-pong diplomacy”.5. Xi’s security chief among cohort of rising officials at White House banquetZhou Hongxu was one of several relatively young senior Chinese officials who attended the White House banquet on Thursday night. Photo: APZhou Hongxu, the official who oversees President Xi Jinping’s security, made an appearance at the White House state banquet on Thursday night, alongside a cohort of other rising Chinese officials.6. US tenor Christopher Macchio booked for Xi-Trump state dinner performanceAmerican tenor Christopher Macchio performed at the White House banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first state visit to the United States in more than a decade.7. How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White HouseDonald Trump toasts with Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan during the dinner. Photo: APPresidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump addressed top American business executives and officials in the White House’s East Room on Thursday evening, ahead of a state dinner.8. Xi talks up US friendship ‘forged in blood’ at state dinner – as it happenedFollowing an unprecedented reception upon landing, formal proceedings – including talks – between the two leaders took place on Thursday.Further Reading