Chinese state dinners traditionally draw on Huaiyang cuisine, from the region surrounding Shanghai
May 15, 2026
Laurie Chen and Claire Fu, Reuters
When Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping sat down to a lavish state banquet in Beijing on Thursday, the menu itself read like a work of diplomacy.
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Chinese state dinners traditionally draw on Huaiyang cuisine, from the region surrounding Shanghai, known for its mild, subtle flavours, refined knife-work and emphasis on seasonal dishes.
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Trump’s visit was celebrated with a state banquet, though it was not quite as lavish as the one he enjoyed in the UK last year
