Shanghai Scholar Describes US-China Banquet Interaction as "Relaxed and Friendly," a Feeling Not Experienced in Years

During a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a past summit with then-U.S. President Trump, Wu Xinbo, director of the Institute of International Studies and Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, a feeling he hadn't experienced in US-China relations for many years. In an interview, Wu recalled the experience, noting the positive personal relationship between the leaders and the interactive seating of US and Chinese guests. Wu, who was seated next to White House Deputy Assistant to the President John Hiller and Fox News anchor Bret Baier, said they chatted about many issues. He felt the atmosphere was pleasant and the interactions natural, a rare scene in recent years. Wu mentioned that Baier told him US media would focus on three keywords for the summit: strength, stability and cooperation, and friendship, especially the personal friendship between Xi and Trump. Wu concluded that despite political differences, Americans and Chinese can get along easily when they sit together.