State Dinner's Asian Twist

The two couples say cheese before dinner at the White House

Yesterday US President Barack Obama hosted a state dinner for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan at the White House.

Mark Zuckerberg with Priscilla Chan

The guest list included Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and his pregnant wife Priscilla (in a ravishing red lace dress might we add). First Lady Michelle Obama wasn't afraid to show off some cleavage in an off the shoulder Vera Wang black ball gown, though Xi's wife Peng was more demure in a peacock blue dress.

Xi wore his mandarin jacket probably in an attempt to hide his large frame, but really, he already wears ties, so why not a bow tie? The jacket just looks too plain... maybe Peng can work on that...

Anyway my sister-in-law pointed out that the chef who cooked that evening was Anita Lo, chef and owner of Annisa restaurant in New York. We actually ate there two years ago, and I remember it being curious flavour combinations and ingredients.

The main course featured one of her signature items, garlic fried milk, a crunchy smooth  garnish for the grilled Colorado lamb.

Anita Lo of Annisa cooked the state dinner that evening

What an honour for Lo, and her dinner must have shaken up the palates of the Chinese delegation to see a new interpretation of Chinese and Western food!

Michelle Obama's Soft Power

Never seen Chinese President Xi Jinping posing with so many women before

First Lady Michelle Obama's putting on a good show of soft power during her visit to Beijing these few days.

She did the usual touristy things like visit the Forbidden City -- without any other tourists around -- and tried her hand at calligraphy and table tennis.

First Lady Michelle Obama with her counterpart Peng Liyuan

However for her counterpart Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, acting the hostess seemed nerve-wracking for her -- despite being used to performing on stage.

The political arena was new for Peng and admitted she was nervous when she and Mrs Obama were writing calligraphy.

Peng picked up a brush and wrote a four-character saying: "Only people of great virtue are suited to undertake great things".

Mrs Obama got the hang of table tennis and had a lot of fun, adding, "My husband plays. He thinks he's better than he really is."

Today the First Lady gave a speech at Peking University, saying that freedom of speech particularly on the Internet and in the news media was the foundation for a vibrant society.

Mrs Obama trying her hand at calligraphy with Peng Liyuan

"Time and again, we have seen that countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices and opinions of all their citizens can be heard," she said. The United States, she continued, respected the "uniqueness" of other cultures and societies. "But when it comes to expressing yourself freely, and worshiping as you choose, and having open access to information -- we believe those are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet."

While criticism of Chinese leaders are quickly wiped out of cyberspace, Mrs Obama explained that not everything was rosy for her and President Obama.

"My husband and i are on the receiving end of plenty of questioning and criticism from our media and our fellow citizens," she said. "And it's not always easy, but we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

Speeches like these give the average Chinese a mini insight into what life is like in America; and usually they are made on the progressive campus of Peking University.

Mrs Obama extolling the virtues of free speech at Peking U

With Chinese and American students present, perhaps Mrs Obama will do her part to influence the next generation of leaders... if the Party loosens up...