At a recent state dinner held at the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan were noted for using their own personal vacuum flasks rather than the provided glassware. The flasks, which were black for the President and white for the First Lady, were placed on the table alongside the formal dinner service.

While state dinners are typically characterized by strict adherence to formal etiquette and the use of provided tableware, the presence of these personal items has been interpreted in different ways. Some observers view the act as a display of cultural authenticity and personal habit, suggesting that the leaders are comfortable maintaining their own customs even in high-stakes diplomatic environments. Others have questioned whether the move was intended to signal a specific preference or a lack of trust in the provided amenities. The South China Morning Post characterized the decision as a sign of "self-assurance," framing the choice as a bridge between everyday personal practices and formal international diplomacy. There has been no official statement from either the Chinese or American delegations regarding the specific reasoning behind the use of the flasks.