From banquet highlights to Chinese-style fashion and a surprise magpie, here are the most talked-about moments from Trump’s China visit.
As US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China, many behind-the-scenes moments from the trip quickly became talking points online. From his arrival in Beijing to the state banquet, many interesting moments emerged behind the scenes of this major diplomatic visit. For example, a military band played famous pop songs, while the son of the world’s richest man drew attention with his modern Chinese-style outfit. Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about details.
The Food, Music, and Hidden Details of the Banquet
On the evening of May 14th, the Golden Hall at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was brightly lit as a state banquet was held for Donald Trump and his delegation.
Although officials did not release the full menu for security reasons, journalists and social media users quickly revealed most of the dishes.
According to reports from Sing Tao News, AFP White House reporter Danny Kemp, and Chinese social media users, the menu included appetisers, lobster in golden broth, crispy beef, Beijing roast duck, vegetable soup, salmon with mustard sauce, pan-fried dumplings, and spiral shell pastries. Desserts included tiramisu and ice cream, while guests were also served fruit, coffee, and tea. The banquet additionally featured Chinese wines such as Great Wall Cabernet Sauvignon and Changyu Chardonnay.
Notably, the chefs prepared the crispy beef to resemble a well-done steak, reportedly because Trump strongly prefers well-done steak with ketchup.
However, the banquet offered more than food and wine. It also featured music and performances. According to reports from Lianhe Zaobao, the programme included 12 songs: six Chinese and six American. The Chinese selections included the traditional melody Butterfly Lovers and the pop song Ru Yuan by Faye Wong.
Meanwhile, the final American song, Y.M.C.A., attracted particular attention. Trump often used the song during his presidential campaign rallies and frequently danced to it while pumping his fists in the air.
Why Did Everyone Talk About Musk’s Son?
During the visit, Elon Musk appeared at the Great Hall of the People with his young son, X. Soon afterwards, the child’s Chinese-style outfit and tiger-head handbag became a major talking point online.
Many social media users praised the look, with some writing that the child looked charming in traditional Chinese clothing. In response, Musk posted in Chinese on X (formerly Twitter): “My son is learning Mandarin.” The post quickly received tens of thousands of likes, while many internet users expressed surprise that Musk had written in Chinese.
According to Southerncn.com, little X wore a traditional Chinese waistcoat and a tiger-head hat. He also carried a tiger-head handbag.
The bag came from Guilin Weiran Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd. in Guangxi. The company’s manager explained that the designers drew inspiration from traditional tiger-head folk art during a research trip to Gansu Province.
The design incorporates several traditional symbols. For example, the toad on the tongue symbolises wealth, while the butterfly embroidery on the nose represents good fortune. In addition, ethnic minority artisans hand-stitch every bag, meaning that each piece takes about one week to complete.
The manager also said that the brand operates a shop in Beijing. Before the visit, the company had only around one hundred bags in stock. However, after X appeared with the bag, customers immediately began placing orders. As a result, the shop’s sales increased more than tenfold in a single day.
The Unexpected Guest at Trump’s Arrival
Another amusing moment happened during the meeting between the two leaders.
According to a video from Phoenix New Media, Trump arrived at the venue by car on May 14th. As soon as he stepped out, a magpie suddenly flew down and landed nearby.
In Chinese culture, magpies are often seen as symbols of good news and happiness. The unexpected moment, therefore, quickly spread across the internet, with many netizens joking that the magpie had arrived to welcome Trump and ensure successful talks.
In reality, diplomacy does not unfold only through serious negotiations between major powers. It also appears at dinner tables, in children’s fashion, and even in small moments of coincidence. Indeed, these details often become the most memorable parts of international relations.
Written by Yi Shen.
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