US President Donald Trump spent the first day of his state visit to Beijing on Thursday immersed in rigid pageantry, offering the verdict that 'China is beautiful' while showing uncharacteristic deference to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The visit, marked by a grand welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, saw Trump ignore questions about Taiwan and deliver fawning praise to Xi.
Trump, who has previously expressed admiration for authoritarian-style leadership, appeared to relish the cool, clinical pomp of the arrival ceremony, which included martial music, troops with bayoneted rifles, and a 21-gun salute. He stopped to applaud children waving bouquets and US flags, later remarking that he was 'particularly impressed' by them.
During two hours of talks, Trump told Xi, 'You're a great leader. Sometimes people don't like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it's true. It's an honour to be your friend.' Xi, in turn, struck a less convivial note on Taiwan, warning that mishandling the issue could lead to a collision between the two countries.
At a state banquet, Trump took a sip of wine despite being teetotal, and his remarks were mild and scripted. The menu featured fusion cuisine to suit his palate, including lobster in tomato soup and Beijing roast duck. Among the guests were tech executives Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk, as well as Trump's son Eric.
The visit highlighted a stark contrast in Trump's behaviour: he was far more polite in China, one of the world's most repressive regimes, than when dealing with Europe's democracies. Observers noted that Trump, who has shown authoritarian leanings at home, seemed to delight in a country where strongman rule is a reality.
