On Thursday evening, Huaiyang cuisine, one of China’s eight major culinary traditions, took center stage at the lavish state banquet President Xi Jinping hosted for U.S. President Donald Trump. The menu reportedly included Peking duck, often regarded as a national dish, as well as crispy beef — an apparent nod to Trump’s preference for well-done steak. Huaiyang cuisine, which originated in the region around Shanghai, is known for its light, delicate flavors, refined knife work and emphasis on seasonal ingredients

A mixture of Chinese and international dishes were on the menu as Beijing’s chefs sought to appeal to President Trump’s tastes

BEIJING, May 14 — When Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping sit down to a lavish state banquet in Beijing today, one Chinese cuisine is likely to feature on the menu:...