Fried Rice, Mango Mousse Cake To Wine: What Was On The Menu For World Leaders In Beijing?

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 12:15:26 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-27 09:05:49

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 13

---

From the menu to the attendees, heres all you need to know about Chinese President Xi Jinpings military parade in central Beijing on Wednesday, in which troops rolled through the city in military vehicles and airplanes flew overhead.

Xi, China's leader-for-life strongman, presided over the parade, which opened with a drone show and included troop formations depicting Chinese characters. The parade, marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, also served as a defiant show of force despite China's recent disastrous Covid outbreak.

The parade ground, which was illuminated by dazzling searchlights and supported by marching troops and veterans, extended from the Monument to the Revolution to the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.

In the invite-only audience were some of the world's leaders accompanied by their spouses, among them Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They sat apart from each other and in front of the main stand, which was reserved for senior party leaders and their spouses, including Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

Putin was seen clinking glasses with Xi as they drank what looked like vodka shots during the parade. In contrast, Peng didn't drink when the leaders toasted. Instead, she smiled and nodded while holding her glass in front of her chest.

The menu for the guestsa reflection of the kind of diplomatic hospitality that China aims to projectwas heavily branded with the 100th anniversary logo of the Chinese Communist Party and included a starter of smoked Beijing duck with a steamed bun. This was followed by fried rice with diced vegetables, which reportedly took three days to make, and mango mousse cake. The meal concluded with filtered coffee and a selection of teas and fruits.

It's unclear whether the leaders affected by China's notorious smog were given face masks, although bins for disposing of them were visible in the audience.

As the world's eyes turn to China and the centennial CPC celebration, leaders from home and abroad are gathering in Beijing for this massive, grand parade. While appearances and toasts may seem friendly, tonguesand tastesare far from being sweetened in a world that looks increasingly multipolar and contested.

Go!