US president Donald Trump has shown Chinese president Xi Jinping everything from his new helipad to a mocking portrait of his predecessor, making clear that he wants to display a close friendship with Xi.
The question is whether China’s president feels the same way.
During Xi’s state visit to the United States, Trump went to great lengths to get close to him. He repeatedly put his hand on the Chinese president’s arm and spoke of their “really great friendship”.
At times, Xi was seen responding to Trump’s gestures.
Showing the portraits of former US presidents along the White House colonnade, Trump said: “Trump, then Trump — and this is the autopen.”
As he spoke, Trump showed Xi that a picture of an automatic signing device had been put in place of the portrait of former US president Joe Biden.
According to a video posted by a Trump aide, when Xi laughed, Trump put his hand on his arm to underline the point.
Another video shows Trump pointing out a photo of an earlier meeting with Xi on a wall in the White House West Wing.
“Who is that? I don’t recognise him!” Trump joked, before putting his hand on Xi’s arm again and adding: “We have a lot of respect for you.”
“He likes granite”
A day earlier, Trump had personally welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
It was the first time a US president had gone to the airport to greet a Chinese leader, though Xi did not extend the same courtesy during Trump’s state visit to Beijing in May.
Trump’s efforts to show closeness to Xi went a step further on Thursday, when he took Xi to see the large helicopter landing pad built on the White House South Lawn.
Finally, Trump took Xi inside Marine One, the helicopter that carries the US president and one of the most sensitive aircraft in the world.
The two then sidestepped reporters’ questions on Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and other issues, with Trump talking about stone instead.
“He likes granite,” Trump said, pointing to Xi. “He’s an expert on stone. Like many other things, he likes good granite.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report