Xi praises Trump, echoing 'MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN' at Beijing state banquet

Chinese President Xi Jinping used one of Donald Trump’s signature political phrases at a state banquet in Beijing on May 14, telling the U.S. president that China’s national rejuvenation and “making America great again” could “go hand in hand.” State media and live banquet coverage showed Xi delivering the line at the Great Hall of the People during Trump’s state visit to China. The remark came after the two leaders held talks in Beijing earlier in the day. Xi also said the two countries should be “partners rather than rivals” and urged both sides to “make it work and never mess it up.” ### What exactly did Xi say at the banquet? Xi Jinping said at the banquet that “the people of China and the United States are both great peoples” and that “achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand,” according to live coverage and multiple reports from the event. Sky News’ live report from the banquet and Indian and other media accounts carried the same formulation. (english.news.cn) The Beijing banquet was held on May 14 at the Great Hall of the People, according to Xinhua and CGTN. Xinhua said Xi hosted the banquet to welcome Trump on his state visit, while CGTN carried a live feed of the event. ### Why was that phrase notable in this setting? Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan is the defining phrase of his political movement in the United States. (news.sky.com) Xi’s use of the wording in a formal toast was an unusual gesture by a Chinese leader toward a visiting U.S. president, based on the banquet coverage and reports from the room. News18 reported that Xi directly invoked one of Trump’s best-known political slogans, while India Today said Xi linked it to his own long-running theme of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” (english.news.cn) Xi paired the line with a broader appeal for stable ties. He said China and the United States should be “partners rather than rivals” and that both sides stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, according to reports of the toast. ### What else did Xi say about U.S.-China ties that day? China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi told Trump earlier on May 14 that he was ready to work with him to make 2026 a “historic, landmark year” that opens “a new chapter” in bilateral relations. (news18.com) The ministry’s account said the two leaders agreed on a “new vision” of building a “constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.” (news.sky.com) The same Foreign Ministry readout said Xi described the previous day’s economic and trade talks as having produced “generally balanced and positive outcomes.” He also said China would “only open its door wider” and welcomed more mutually beneficial cooperation from U.S. businesses. ### What was the setting for the banquet itself? Reuters reported before the dinner that the banquet was expected to feature Huaiyang cuisine, a regional style long associated with Chinese state hospitality and major diplomatic events. (mfa.gov.cn) The dinner followed a day of summit choreography in Beijing that included formal talks and ceremonial events for Trump’s state visit. C-SPAN listed the event as “President Trump attends a state banquet with Chinese President Xi” on May 14, providing a U.S. video record of the dinner. Sky News and CGTN also carried live coverage as the banquet began. ### What comes next in Trump’s China visit? Xinhua said Trump’s state visit runs from May 13 to May 15, making May 15 the final scheduled day of the trip. (usnews.com) Chinese state media and official readouts are likely to provide the next public details on any agreements or additional appearances before Trump departs. (english.gov.cn) (c-span.org)