science
State banquet menus differ for Putin, Trump, Albanese visits
Menus from three recent state dinners at Beijing's Great Hall of the People show variations in courses and beverages served to Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
May 25, 3:00 PM·1m read1 source
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Menus obtained by Abc from the Banquet Hall show Peking duck served to Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump but not to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during their separate visits over the past twelve months. The Russian menu opened with duck consomme and freshwater clams, followed by Peking duck, braised sea cucumber, abalone sauce, and Moutai.
It also included Great Wall wine from Ningxia and totaled eleven courses.
Trump menu Trump's menu featured golden broth lobster, crispy beef, pan-fried buns, and Peking duck. It included Great Wall and Changyu wines but no Moutai and ran to ten courses.
Albanese menu Albanese's menu contained foie gras, lobster soup, beef short ribs, and sour grouper. It used standard Great Wall and Changyu wines, omitted Peking duck, and also totaled ten courses. Officials from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that chefs study the customs of each guest nation and adapt menus accordingly.
The same statement noted that every ingredient on a state table functions as part of the diplomatic message.
