Trump highlights long history of US-China ties at White House banquet

Toasts to 'harmonious, peaceful and successful future' for both nations

US President Donald Trump raises a toast with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (local time). [EPA]
US President Donald Trump raises a toast with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (local time). [EPA]

US President Donald Trump said Thursday (local time) that while he and Chinese President Xi Jinping represent different systems, the bonds between the two countries' peoples endure.

Trump hosted Xi at a state dinner at the White House, using the occasion to underscore the depth of US-China ties and repeatedly emphasizing the strength of the relationship through its history of friendship, diplomacy and trade.

Trump invoked a diplomatic mission from 158 years ago, when a Chinese delegation visited Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. "Tonight, we revive the spirit of that first encounter on American soil, surrounded by the top leaders of business, culture and government," he said.

He said China carries forward "thousands of years of history and tradition, from Sun Tzu to Sun Yat-sen," while the United States inherits "the faith from Jerusalem to Rome, the democracy of ancient Athens, the victories of Sparta, and the legacy of liberty proclaimed 250 years ago in Philadelphia."

Trump particularly noted that since the first American trading vessel set out from New York and arrived on the banks of China's Pearl River, "we have never gotten along better than we do right now" — a reference to the start of US trade with Qing dynasty China, when the young nation sent a ship to Guangzhou in 1784, just eight years after its founding.

"Americans and Chinese have always exchanged products, knowledge, customs and ideas," he said, adding that this exchange "has been the foundation of trade and mutual respect between our nations, and together we have been able to continue building a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations."

Trump presented Xi with a sculpture of a bald eagle — the national bird of the United States — saying, "The bald eagle is the national symbol of America and represents the free and soaring American spirit. I hope this piece finds a wonderful and prominent place in Beijing." He added that the sculpture was the work of an American artist and that he and first lady Melania Trump had both contributed to its design.

Thanking Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for their visit, Trump closed with a toast: "May all of our people enjoy a harmonious, peaceful and successful future."


addressh@heraldcorp.com