From wine to ping-pong, Trump and Xi’s state dinner is heavy on historic symbolism
Trump invokes 1868 Burlingame Treaty to highlight deep roots of relationship; Xi speaks of WWII ‘friendship forged in blood and fire’
The meal opened with a toast of Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs, a vineyard selected to honour the historic 1972 “Toast to Peace” shared by then US president Richard Nixon and Chinese premier Zhou Enlai, according to the first lady’s office.
“The same American sparkling wine served at that historic gathering continues to be enjoyed at White House functions today,” Melania Trump’s office said in a statement.
In his speech, Donald Trump reflected on the deep roots of bilateral contacts, pointing out that the first formal delegation of Chinese diplomats arrived in the United States 158 years ago.
