How Peking Duck and Moutai changed the world

Culinary diplomacy serves as a subtle yet powerful language in Chinese statecraft, where specific dishes and beverages communicate political intent to foreign leaders. The tradition, exemplified by Zhou Enlai’s personal carving of Peking duck for Henry Kissinger in 1971, establishes a ritual of honor and intimacy. Modern diplomatic menus continue this practice, with the presence or absence of Moutai and specific regional ingredients functioning as coded signals. For instance, the exclusion of Moutai during Donald Trump’s visit signaled diplomatic distance, while its inclusion for Vladimir Putin underscored a closer strategic alignment. Similarly, menus for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the normalization of trade relations by featuring previously banned goods. These symbolic gestures allow the Chinese government to convey complex geopolitical messages within an opaque system, often bypassing the need for explicit public statements.