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Pageantry matters for US-China summits, even with modest results

Pageantry matters for US-China summits, even with modest results
South China Morning Post Friday 16 October 2026, 01:30 UTC By Bernard Chan 1 min read
Key Points

The most consequential outcome of President Xi Jinping’s Washington visit might be his US counterpart Donald Trump’s unusually lavish welcome. It told Beijing, US allies and global markets that, however fierce the strategic rivalry, China’s importance makes sustained diplomatic engagement essential. The airport greeting, lavish banquet at the White House and flyover by military aircraft restored the appearance of a workable relationship between two powers.

The most consequential outcome of President Xi Jinping’s Washington visit might be his US counterpart Donald Trump’s unusually lavish welcome. It told Beijing, US allies and global markets that, however fierce the strategic rivalry, China’s importance makes sustained diplomatic engagement essential. The airport greeting, lavish banquet at the White House and flyover by military aircraft restored the appearance of a workable relationship between two powers. Even so, Beijing has learned not to...
US (LOCATION) China (LOCATION) Xi Jinping (PERSON) Washington (LOCATION) Donald Trump (PERSON) Beijing (LOCATION) the White House (LOCATION)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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