Overnight coverage stayed on the White House state dinner that closed the Sept. 24 talks. State outlets carried Xi's toast in full, stressing WWII friendship 'forged in blood' and turning 'constructive strategic stability' from vision into action, while Trump spoke of historic bonds and reviving the spirit of first encounter. SCMP parsed symbolism and tech executives in attendance; BBC Chinese argued pageantry produced little on trade, AI and rare earths.
By Washington morning the narrative moved to the final day. State media reported a tea chat of Xi and Peng Liyuan with the Trumps ahead of a joint National Archives visit, promoting 'three unchanged' and explainers of the new positioning. SCMP highlighted Xi's push for Trump to oppose Taiwan independence and his confirmation of two more meetings this year, which outside outlets treated as the substantive takeaway from lavish protocol.