A tech titan-studded state dinner was held at the White House on Thursday evening, with President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping of China giving remarks on the days-long summit between the two countries. Trump gifted Xi a statue of a bald eagle perched on a branch on a podium. This comes after Xi said that China would gift the US two pandas to Zoo Atlanta as "envoys of friendship."
Trump spoke on the shared history of the US and China, saying, "China draws on thousands of years of history and tradition from Sun Tzu to Sun Yat-sen. For Americans, we inherit a legacy of faith from Jerusalem to Rome, the democracy of ancient Athens, the triumphs of Sparta, and the freedom proclaimed in Philadelphia 250 years ago. As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better."
Trump also gave a nod to the forthcoming White House ballroom during his speech, which is said to be completed in a year's time. He then gifted the eagle to Xi and the First Lady of China, Madame Peng Liyuan.
"The bald eagle is a national symbol of the United States and an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America, and we hope it’ll find a nice place, a wonderful place in Beijing," Trump said.
He later added, "I’d like to raise it last and propose a toast to President Xi, Madam Peng, and the long relationship between China and America that has bridged thousands of miles and spanned hundreds of years."
Xi then got up to speak, and he thanked Trump for the gift. "In May this year, President Trump paid a successful visit to China at my invitation. We agreed to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability. During the visit, President Trump warmly invited me to visit the United States, and I have come as promised," Xi said. "In less than half a year, the Chinese and American presidents have exchanged state visits, making history in our bilateral engagement."
Xi then added that he and Trump "had sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues." He then touched on the history of the US-China relationship and how China helped the US during World War II, calling it the "war of resistance against Japanese aggression."
He then called for more cooperation between the two countries, saying, "The friendship between the two peoples is a worthy cause that holds great promise. Let us join hands and move forward side by side. Together, let us nurture the beautiful flowers of Sino-U.S. friendship. Together, let us write a new chapter in our friendly relations."
The comments come after the two leaders held private meetings throughout Thursday, likely touching on topics including AI, the Iran war, trade, and other issues. Spotted at the dinner were heads of the largest tech companies in the industry, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, Tim Cook, and others.
Trump spoke on the shared history of the US and China, saying, "China draws on thousands of years of history and tradition from Sun Tzu to Sun Yat-sen. For Americans, we inherit a legacy of faith from Jerusalem to Rome, the democracy of ancient Athens, the triumphs of Sparta, and the freedom proclaimed in Philadelphia 250 years ago. As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better."
Trump also gave a nod to the forthcoming White House ballroom during his speech, which is said to be completed in a year's time. He then gifted the eagle to Xi and the First Lady of China, Madame Peng Liyuan.
"The bald eagle is a national symbol of the United States and an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America, and we hope it’ll find a nice place, a wonderful place in Beijing," Trump said.
He later added, "I’d like to raise it last and propose a toast to President Xi, Madam Peng, and the long relationship between China and America that has bridged thousands of miles and spanned hundreds of years."
Xi then got up to speak, and he thanked Trump for the gift. "In May this year, President Trump paid a successful visit to China at my invitation. We agreed to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability. During the visit, President Trump warmly invited me to visit the United States, and I have come as promised," Xi said. "In less than half a year, the Chinese and American presidents have exchanged state visits, making history in our bilateral engagement."
Xi then added that he and Trump "had sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues." He then touched on the history of the US-China relationship and how China helped the US during World War II, calling it the "war of resistance against Japanese aggression."
He then called for more cooperation between the two countries, saying, "The friendship between the two peoples is a worthy cause that holds great promise. Let us join hands and move forward side by side. Together, let us nurture the beautiful flowers of Sino-U.S. friendship. Together, let us write a new chapter in our friendly relations."
The comments come after the two leaders held private meetings throughout Thursday, likely touching on topics including AI, the Iran war, trade, and other issues. Spotted at the dinner were heads of the largest tech companies in the industry, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, Tim Cook, and others.
