ETON COMMUNICATIONS NEWS SERVICE, Nov. 25 — U.S. President Trump hosted a state dinner on Thursday evening (Nov. 24) in the East Room of the White House to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The event was personally coordinated by First Lady Melania, with a menu blending American and Chinese characteristics. The sparkling wine chosen for the opening toast also carries historical significance related to Sino-U.S. relations.

   Sparkling Wine with Historical Significance: The Schramsberg sparkling wine was selected for the opening toast. In 1972, when then-U.S. President Nixon visited China, he shared this wine with then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. That visit symbolized the beginning of the thaw in Sino-U.S. relations.

   Four-Course Culinary Delight: The state dinner combined American ingredients with Chinese flavors. The appetizer was a butternut squash soup served with wild mushrooms and crispy Italian bacon, enhanced with scallion oil for freshness; the main course featured sesame sea bass with baby bok choy and roasted eggplant; dessert consisted of vanilla cream with White House honey ice cream.

   Red-Themed Decor Reflects Thoughtful Design: The banquet's decor centered on red, a color symbolizing celebration in Chinese history, complemented by dahlias, ranunculus, and the White House's Vermeil silver-gold tableware, fully showcasing the elegant aesthetics of Chinese-American integration. (rc)