WASHINGTON — President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan’s state visit to the United States featured grand ceremony, intense media attention and one unexpectedly relatable detail: matching travel thermoses.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed the Chinese couple with a military review before hosting them at an elaborate state dinner.
Xi appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the occasion.
“Everything is done to the highest order of perfection, and there is thought in every little detail, and it’s greatly appreciated,” Xi told the Trumps during Friday tea in the White House’s Red Room.
Trump responded warmly, saying, “America is very happy about this visit, and I’m sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries.”
From viral table settings to carefully chosen clothing, these were five memorable details from the state visit:
1. President Xi and Madame Peng’s thermoses
The internet quickly focused on an unusual detail at Thursday evening’s state dinner: eagle-eyed observers noticed two thermoses positioned at Xi and Peng’s places.
The flasks stood alongside Reagan-era state china and crystal wineware, with a black thermos set out for Xi and a white one for Peng.
Known informally as “Bring Your Own Thermos,” the practice reflects a widespread preference in China for drinking hot beverages. Some public fountains there even provide boiling water so people can refill their personal flasks.
No one knew exactly what the couple drank with their fish and vegetable courses. Chinese thermoses are often filled with goji berries, red dates or herbs associated with traditional Chinese medicine.
The thermos tradition appeared to continue Friday, when flasks were visible inside Xi’s Hongqi limousine as he and Peng arrived at the White House for tea with the Trumps.
2) Melania’s big bow and Trump’s gloves
Fashion also became a major talking point during the visit, with both first couples making choices that drew attention.
Melania Trump broke from the expected black-tie gown tradition by wearing trousers to the state dinner. Her look featured a crisp white blouse with a dramatic bow and sharply tailored black pants inspired by a tuxedo.
The outfit included Dolce & Gabbana trousers, a bow-detail Saint Laurent cotton-poplin blouse, a black silk Dolce & Gabbana cummerbund and towering Christian Louboutin heels—an ensemble that rapidly became a social media talking point.
The trousers’ understated peony design appeared to offer a cultural nod to China. Often called the “King of Flowers,” the peony is associated with wealth, status, prosperity and romantic beauty.
In Chinese culture, the flower is also viewed as a symbol of feminine grace and ideal beauty.
Trump, meanwhile, sparked a different kind of fashion discussion with an accessory that left some observers puzzled: black leather gloves.
He wore them while greeting Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening, even though temperatures in Washington were a mild 60 degrees.
Trump has previously been seen with bruising on his hands, which he attributed to taking too much aspirin.
3. Chinese press stampede — and Xi’s dodge of US media
Chinese journalists traveling with Xi also generated plenty of attention—and commotion—as they covered the high-profile state visit.
Several argued with White House staff and Secret Service agents over where they could stand during Xi’s arrival ceremony and military review in the Rose Garden. Video of the clashes splashed across social media.
Many tried to push American journalists out of the way, leading the US reporters to shout “hold the line” as they refused to give up their position.
The tensions increased throughout the day as Chinese photographers shoved their American counterparts out of the way several times, including during the Oval Office visit of the two leaders and the arrivals for the state dinner.
There was similar behavior during Trump’s March trip to China when the American press traveling with him were pushed around and withheld from events.
Xi, meanwhile, pointedly ignored questions from reporters, including one from The Post, about several topics including fentanyl and political prisoners.
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The Chinese leader typically doesn’t answer unscripted media questions.
4. White House tours — good granite, the autopen, and the presidential ballroom
Trump is happy to play host and tour guide.
And, during Xi’s visit, Trump reveled in showing him the improvements he’s made to the White House, including his presidential walk of fame and the new helipad on the South Lawn.
“He’s an expert on stone, aside from many others, and he loves good granite,” Trump told reporters after he showed Xi the massive granite landing pad, complete with the presidential seal.
The two men even climbed aboard Marine One to tour the presidential helicopter.
Xi seemed to enjoy it and was seen smiling broadly multiple times on Thursday, as the two leaders stopped at various points around the White House for Trump to point out one of his changes.
When they walked the Presidential Hall of Fame, on the outdoor colonnade, Xi was filmed laughing as Trump showed off a faux photo depicting former President Joe Biden as an autopen.
At another point, Trump pointed out to Xi a photo of them together on a wall in the West Wing and told him, “We have a lot of respect for you. We’ve had that up for a year.”
But Trump saved his biggest treat for the state dinner, where he told the 134 invited guests — dressed in black tie — they could visit the ballroom, which is still under construction.
“As a special treat in honor of President Xi and Madame Peng, I’d like to invite everyone in the room to visit through that beautiful curtain in the back door,” Trump said during his toast in the East Room. “It’s one year away from completion, the new ballroom that you’ve heard about.”
“You’ll be the first people to step foot on that,” he told the guests, clearly imparting on them a great honor.
He waxed on about what that night’s dinner could have been if the ballroom was complete: “Tonight, if we had it, we would have had way more than a thousand people, with standing room only. And this room has about 145, that’s about it.”
And, he informed the well-heeled crowd — which included Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, and Sam Altman — not to worry about ruining any pricey outfits.
“Anybody who wants to walk into a construction site that’s nice and clean and sparkling, it’s our honor to have you do so,” he noted.
Many guests did take the tour, The Post learned, which involved stepping out of the double doors in the East Room onto an emergent structure to view the construction.
To match the festive occasion, a red carpet extended out to a stand, where guests could examine the work-in-progress.
The 90,000 square feet ballroom, which Trump said is being paid for with private donations, is scheduled to be completed in August 2026.
5. Animal-inspired gifts: One big bald eagle, two panda bears
It’s customary during a state visit for leaders to exchange gifts.
Trump and Xi went for animal-themed options.
Trump gifted Xi with a large bronze statue of a bald eagle in flight, having a military aide unveil it during the state dinner.
“The bald eagle is the national symbol of the United States and an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America,” Trump said. “And we hope it will find a nice place, a wonderful place, in Beijing.”
Meanwhile, Xi brought out one of China’s biggest diplomatic weapons: Panda bears.
He announced two of the black-and-white bears — Ping Ping and Fuhuan — will be going to the zoo in Atlanta.
“The giant panda has been an envoy of friendship between the Chinese and Americans,” Xi noted.
The US is currently home to four of the beloved bears: two in Washington DC’s National Zoo and two in San Diego’s zoo.
