The White House gets new drapes. (Elbow sweat rag is optional.)
Posted on 01/19/2011 8:23:45 PM PST by Libloather
Obama, Hu toast 'strategic mutual trust' at state dinner
By Christina Wilkie - 01/19/11 10:30 PM ET
President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao toasted U.S. and Chinese collaboration and mutual interests on Wednesday night at a festive state dinner for 225 guests at the White House.
Their toasts marked the high point of an evening notable for its strict adherence to the protocol and symbolism valued in Chinese culture, but which, at the same time, managed to fulfill the Chinese delegation's request for a thoroughly American dinner party.
Guests dined on a meal of pear salad, lobster, ribeye steak and apple pie for dessert, all of which were complimented by American wines.
In his remarks, Obama noted that despite "differences of culture and perspective," America shares with China "a reverence for family," and a "belief that, with education and hard work and with sacrifice, the future is what we make it." Obama also shared the news of a new agreement under which Washington's National Zoo "will continue to dazzle children and visitors with [China's] beloved giant pandas."
Speaking after Obama, Hu alluded more directly to bilateral discussions that have taken place over the past two days, noting through a translator that the U.S. and China had reached an "important agreement" earlier in the day to "increase contacts at the top … levels, strengthen strategic mutual trust … and step up communication and coordination on international and regional issues."
In a reference to some of the more contentious issues addressed during his visit, Hu said that both nations agreed that "we should respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the development interests," and "properly handle differences and frictions."
The guest list represented a broad array of distinguished Chinese Americans, as well as statesmen, lawmakers, business leaders, and key members of Obama's administration.
In addition to former Presidents Carter and Clinton, former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz were in attendance, as was actor Jackie Chan, cellist Yo Yo Ma, and designer Vera Wang. Also on the guest list was legendary performer Barbra Streisand; Vogue editor Anna Wintour; philanthropist Wendi Murdoch, the wife of News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). Members of Obama's administration in attendance at the dinner included Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, and newly appointed White House Chief of Staff William Daley.
Notably absent were Republican House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), all of whom declined to attend.
First Lady Michelle Obama's choice of a red, one-shouldered gown was viewed by many as an homage to the symbolism of the color red in Chinese culture, as well as a nod to the late British designer Alexander McQueen, whose label designed it.
After dinner, a reception featuring American jazz music kept guests up well past 9 p.m., grooving to the sounds of Herbie Hancock, Chris Botti, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, players from the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, and a special performance from world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang.
... and Michelle will be on display in a Beijing zoo for 2 months next year.
So President Who was here for a dinner?
Hu’s your daddy.
The White House gets new drapes. (Elbow sweat rag is optional.)
OmG is she wearing a gang like head bandanna on her arm?
Obama toast. - Hu
Mooch is looking like Grace Jones in that photo. But Grace Jones biggest tune is more descriptive of Obama, “Pull up to my bumper baby”
http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=%22Pull+up+to+my+bumper+baby%E2%80%9D%22&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGLL_enUS393US393&ie=UTF-8
So is she still pregnant, or is that what the drapes are for?
Obama says China shares with us a “reverance for family”. Uh huh. Unless family includes more than one child.
“In a reference to some of the more contentious issues addressed during his visit, Hu said that both nations agreed that “we should respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the development interests,” and “properly handle differences and frictions.”
IOW Taiwan is doomed.
Any mention of the fact that their were two adjacent rooms filled with overflow guests. They watched the toasts on a jumbotron.
What class! Did Barbara Streisand get to sit in the main room?
I’m sure she was able to put her FREE TIBET values aside.
Clinton Foundation Official Requests State Lunch Invitation, Special Seating for [Clinton] Foundation Allies
ABC News ^ | Aug. 27, 2016 | Jonathan Karl , Devin Dwyer and BENJAMIN SIEGEL
http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/3463586/posts?page=11
Notably absent was Biden. WWT?
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