Staff Reports
In a lavish display of diplomatic hospitality, President Joe Biden pulled out all the stops for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, serving up a gourmet lunch and securing a swanky venue for their highly anticipated meeting. The location, the Filoli Historic House and Garden, a well-kept secret, provided a picturesque and exclusive setting for the leaders to hash out important issues. The choice of such an upscale location surely set the stage for the two leaders to rub elbows in style.
Biden rolls out the diplomatic red carpet for Xi at venue of famed TV show Dynastyhttps://t.co/nTOoi2ArIr
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The sumptuous lunch menu included herbed ricotta ravioli, tarragon-roasted heritage chicken, Carolina Gold Rice pilaf, and a variety of other fancy dishes sure to impress even the most discerning of palates. The dessert offerings were equally opulent, featuring almond meringue cake, praline buttercream, and Concord grape sauce. It seems President Biden aimed to dazzle his guest with a culinary spectacle fit for a king.
As if the extravagant lunch weren’t enough, Chinese President Xi was also set to be treated to another lavish affair, with top CEOs, including Elon Musk and Satya Nadella, rolling out the red carpet for a high-priced dinner. The reported cost of $40,000 per table for executives only adds to the image of excess and elitism surrounding the visit.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom of California faced criticism for the city’s intense efforts to spruce up in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Some accused the governor of taking extreme measures, such as relocating homeless individuals and cleaning the streets, solely for the benefit of the visiting dignitaries. Newsom defended the actions, stating that it’s only natural to clean up before having guests over and downplaying the significance of the extensive preparations.
This event marks the second face-to-face meeting between Biden and Xi, emphasizing the importance of their continued interactions. The lavish setting and extravagant hospitality provided a glimpse into the opulent world of high-stakes diplomacy, leaving no doubt that President Biden was determined to pull out all the stops to impress his Chinese counterpart.
