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Xi and Putin to dine over Peking duck, Chinese opera and Swan Lake - Headlines news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Xi and Putin to dine over Peking duck, Chinese opera and Swan Lake

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 20, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 20, 2026

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Xi and Putin Share Peking Duck and Cultural Performances at Moscow Banquet

Main Highlights of the Moscow Banquet

Banquet Menu and Culinary Delights

MOSCOW, May 20 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin will on Wednesday dine on Peking duck and Jinhua ham at a banquet featuring Chinese opera and Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Appetizers and Main Courses

A programme and menu reported by TASS showed guests would be offered an array of cold "zakuski" hors d'oeuvres, prawn soup, beef in bean sauce, Fuzhou noodles, pumpkin pastries, fruits.

Wine Selection

A 2009 "Greatwall" Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2016 Changyu Chardonnay will be offered, TASS said.

Cultural Performances and Entertainment

Musical Programme

The programme includes a mixture of Chinese and Russian classics played by the military orchestra of the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army including a melody of Peking opera, "An unforgettable evening" and the dance of the little swans from Swan Lake.

Featured Performances
  • Peking opera melody
  • "An unforgettable evening"
  • Dance of the little swans from Swan Lake

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge)

Key Takeaways

  • The banquet showcases cultural diplomacy blending Chinese and Russian traditions to reinforce geopolitical alignment.
  • Serving high‑end wines like Changyu Chardonnay and Greatwall Cabernet underscores China’s growing prestige in winemaking and soft power projection.
  • The lavish setting and symbolic program reflect the strengthening comprehensive partnership between China and Russia as both navigate rising global tensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dishes are being served at the Xi and Putin banquet?
The banquet menu includes Peking duck, Jinhua ham, prawn soup, beef in bean sauce, Fuzhou noodles, pumpkin pastries, and fruits.
Which cultural performances are featured during the evening?
Guests will enjoy Chinese opera performances and the Swan Lake ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, played by a military orchestra.
What wines will be offered at the banquet?
The wine selection features a 2009 'Greatwall' Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2016 Changyu Chardonnay.
Where is the banquet between Xi and Putin taking place?
The banquet is being held in Moscow, Russia.
Who will play the musical pieces at the banquet?
The military orchestra of the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army will perform Chinese and Russian classics.

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