(Photos) Last Night's Dinner Hosted By US president For Chinese President And Big Business Moguls

 
 Last night, President Obama threw a glitzy state dinner for Chinese president Xi Jinping at the White House.
Black-tie affair was attended by Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook who sat at the top table.
Michelle Obama dazzled in black off-the-shoulder mermaid gown made by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang.
She was also on hand to straighten Barack's bow tie just before Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived on Friday night.
Guests dined on wild mushroom soup, Maine lobster, Colorado lamb and poppyseed bread-and-butter pudding.
The extravagant dinner was followed by a special performance from R&B singer Ne-Yo.

Mr Zuckerberg was one of the first to arrive, walking hand-in-hand with his pregnant wife Priscilla, who beamed as she entered the White House lobby in a scoop-back red lace floor-length number.

Others spotted in attendance included former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, 92, and 78-year-old Madeleine Albright. Philanthropist David Rubenstein was also there, as was ballerina Misty Copeland, who giggled and said, 'I have no idea,' when reporters asked who she was wearing. 

Meanwhile Michelle Obama - who wore a $2,300 dress to meet the Pope this week - diplomatically opted for a black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown created by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang.

Fitted, with sheer sleeves, it skimmed the floor with its tulle flounce as Mrs Obama swept her long hair off to one side. 

Ne-yo performed after the dinner

Facebook boss, Mark Zukerberg and his pregnant wife Priscilla were among the first to arrive

 

 

Guest chef Anita Lo, owner of Annisa in New York and a past 'Top Chef' competitor, is a first-generation Chinese-American from Birmingham, Michigan.

The culinary team was cooking up a menu that highlights 'American cuisine with nuances of Chinese flavor,' according to the White House. Guests supped on wild mushroom soup, poached Maine lobster, grilled cannon of Colorado lamb and poppyseed bread and butter pudding. 

The decor for the expansive East Room spread included a 16-foot silk scroll depicting two roses that the White House says were meant to symbolize 'a complete meeting of the minds.'

R&B singer Ne-Yo - who says his father is part-Chinese - performed a special set for guests at the dinner.

'It's going to be good,' he grinned, showing off his date. 'This is my lovely mother,' he added.

She was ecstatic. 'He's my only son,' she said. 'I'm the most proud mama.'

Dreamworks CEO and Democratic Party mega donor Jeffry Katzenberg said he was at the White House for 'fun' and not business, but the guest list – and especially the head table – read like a who's who of Silicon Valley and Hollywood.

Zucerkberg and Cook would be seated up close and personal to the two world leaders, along with Disney's Iger.  

Once inside, guests were treated to a toast by the two presidents before dinner.

'During our visit to China, Michelle and I experience the traditions, the culture, the cuisine and the civilization that spans thousands of years,' President Obama began. 'I understand that in China there's a saying "Food is heaven," I dare not stand in the way of the divine so I'll be brief.'

Obama talked of his conversations today with President XI and how they planned to 'expand the cooperation' between the two nations.

'I know that some in both countries and around the world question whether we can sustain the cooperation that we need and the world needs,' Obama said, before telling a story of American airmen sheltered by Chinese villagers during World War II.

'And decades later, one Chinese man said of the American man he saved: "He's like the thumb on the hand and I'm like the finger. We are brothers together,"' Obama said. 'I think of the ties that are forged every single today and that we've worked to expand in our work today.'

 

President Obama rose to speak during the dinner in the East Room of the White House earlier last evening

The president noted how Americans are flocking to see Chinese sights - like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall - while Chinese visitors take in the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall.

'There will be time where there are differences between our two countries. That's inevitable. There will be times where our interested entirely overlap, but what I think will be sustained is friendship between our peoples, the foundation of the ties between our nations. Just as you say in China, that a sea accepts a hundred rivers, our countries together our stronger when we accept the diversity of the views and the contributions and uphold the rights of all our people,' Obama said.

'So I propose a toast: To the people of China and the people of the United States, may they work together like fingers on the same hand in friendship and in peace.'

President Xi stood up and called his state visit to the United States an 'unforgettable journey'.

'From the west coast to the east coast, what strikes me most is that the American people have a lot of goodwill towards the Chinese people,' Xi said. 'I want to assure you that such goodwill is fully reciprocated by the Chinese people.'

Xi talked about the three meetings he had with President Obama since his arrival and the candid conversations they shared, but then he turned to something more lighthearted: a trip to the zoo this morning with his wife and first lady Michelle Obama, where they named a panda.

Xi said his wife was 'deeply touched' by the interest American students have with pandas and with China.

'As an ancient Chinese saying goes "Only those who take actions can achieve their goals. Only those who stride forward can reach their destination." President Abraham Lincoln once said "the best way to predict the future is to create it,"' Xi said.

'And let's continue to respect and learn from each other, turn our blueprint into reality,' Xi said toasting to a 'new historic chapter in U.S.-China relations.' 

Empire creator Lee Daniels arrived at the extravagant dinner with his mother Clara

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest attended with his wife Natalie

DreamWorks boss Jeffrey Katzenberg

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger ( with his wife Nancy)  went for traditional black suits with bow tie

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Lisa Jackson

US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power looked to be in good spirits as she rocked up with her husband Cass Sunstein

 

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