The Hospitality of Diplomacy

The White House has hosted many important heads of state over the years. Typically, the President and First Lady join the visiting leader for official talks, leisurely activities and, in many cases, a State Dinner. When Chinese Vice Premiere Deng Xiaoping and his wife Madame Zhuo Lin came to the White House in 1979, it marked the highest-ranking Chinese guest since 1943. In honor of the visit of President Xi Jinping, we thought we’d take a look at the history, food and protocol of official foreign visitors to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.