Trump's state dinner for Xi to feature sea bass and a long list of tech titans

President Donald Trump is hosting a state dinner for China's leader Xi Jinping, an event that will be closely scrutinized for clues about their relationship WASHINGTON (AP) — A tech-heavy guest list, the fashion choices of those on it, who sits where, their body language throughout the night and what’s on the menu: these are the softer — often and glitzier — details of diplomacy. They will be closely scrutinized at Thursday’s state dinner, offering potential clues about where things actually stand between President Donald Trump and China’s leader Xi Jinping on the meatier policy matters discussed behind closed doors.

The leaders may have focused on tensions over Taiwan, trade and artificial intelligence during business hours — even as an ongoing, First Amendment fight over press access at the White House unfolded. But afterward, the attention turns to the flashy details of a swanky meal honoring Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, in the White House’s East Room. “Everyone wants to be there,” Trump said during this week’s United Nations General Assembly.

”It’s the hottest ticket in town.” Asked on Monday night who’d be in attendance, the president responded, “sort of everybody,” adding, “I would say you have the entire tech world, the entire banking world and a lot more.” The dinner was expected to showcase “the positive vibes surrounding the visit” and indicate that “the president is very focused on signaling warmth and a close personal connection with Xi,” said Edgard Kagan, senior adviser and chair in China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. First lady Melania Trump’s office says she helped with the preparations for the dinner, whose menu features a first course of yellow squash velouté with wild mushrooms, fresh herbs, crispy pancetta and drizzled scallion oil. After that, guests will get sesame-crusted sea bass with braised baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and a sauce verte.

Dessert is vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit and walnut frangipane, as well as ice cream with honey from the White House. Trump has already sought to one-up Xi after Beijing The dinner comes after the president took the unusual step of personally greeting Xi and his wife on Wednesday as they arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington. Normally, presidents wait for their state visit guests to arrive at the White House itself before offering a formal welcome.

A 100-foot (30 meter) long red carpet was unfurled for Xi’s plane, while a 21-person honor guard was arrayed on its sides.