Beijing, May 14 -- Amidst the ornate setting of the State banquet hosted at the Great Hall of the People by Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump celebrated the "close and historic" bonds shared between the two countries, radiating a sense of stability and warmth following a day of intensive high-stakes deliberations.

Characterising the day's diplomatic engagements as "extremely positive and productive", the US President expressed his gratitude to his counterpart for the "great honour" of the "magnificent welcome" ceremony that had greeted him earlier.

In a sweeping historical perspective, Trump framed the partnership as "one of the most consequential relationships in world history", tracing the lineage of interaction ...