At the White House on Thursday, Trump handed Xi a three‑foot‑tall bald eagle statue, the nation’s emblem, signed and co‑designed with the First Lady.
Trump explained the eagle symbolizes America’s ‘free and soaring spirit’ and he hoped the piece would find a suitable spot in Beijing.
The gift came amid Xi’s three‑day visit to Washington, during which the two leaders discussed trade, technology, and AI before the dinner.
Xi noted the talks had produced a ‘sincere and in‑depth exchange’ and a shared understanding on several issues.
In the same session, Xi announced that two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, would soon travel to Zoo Atlanta, and a new student‑exchange programme would send 100,000 U.S. students to China over five years.
A Beijing schoolteacher, who had applied for the exchange, said he looked forward to studying in Washington, hoping the gesture would open doors for his students.