A Banquet of Ambiguities: Trump and Xi's Taiwan Gambit The state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping for US President Donald Trump at the Forbidden City was a masterclass in diplomatic protocol, complete with toasts and pageantry that would put even the most seasoned courtiers to shame.
Behind the smiles and handshakes, however, is a more nuanced – and potentially far reaching – game of chicken unfolding. The Taiwan issue has long been a contentious point in Sino US relations.
China views the island as an integral part of its territory, while the US maintains a delicate diplomatic balance between the two sides.