The Art of Diplomacy: A Masterclass in Whitewashing Reality The ornate halls of the Great Hall of the People's banquet hall were abuzz with lavish praise and platitudes as President Donald Trump lavished Xi Jinping with words of adoration, hailing their "special relationship" and inviting him to the White House for a September state visit.
On the surface, it was a masterclass in diplomacy, carefully crafted to paper over the cracks in the Sino American relationship.
Trump's decision to stick to a prepared text was telling – a rare display of discipline from a leader notorious for veering off script.