- President Obama threw a glitzy state dinner for Chinese president Xi Jinping at the White House
- Black-tie affair was attended Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook who sat at the top table
- Michelle Obama dazzled in black off-the-shoulder mermaid gown made by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang
- She was also on hand to straighten Barack's bow tie just before Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived on Friday night
- Guests dined on wild mushroom soup, Maine lobster, Colorado lamb and poppyseed bread-and-butter pudding
- The extravagant dinner was followed by a special performance from R&B singer Ne-Yo
A dazzling Michelle Obama and pregnant Priscilla Chan stole the show as President Obama threw a spectacular state dinner for Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday night
A powerhouse line-up of diplomacy, big business and Hollywood made Obama's guest list for the extravagant feast at the White House to honor the visit of president Xi.
The black-tie affair was not only attended by top-level politicians from both countries - with the likes of Facebook and Apple bosses Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook joining the two presidents at the top table for the glitzy event.
While most of the 200 guests are used to dressing up for glamorous get-togethers, it was Obama himself who needed a hand - with wife Michelle helping to straighten his bow tie just before their VIP guests arrived.
Mr Zuckerberg was one of the first to arrive, walking hand-in-hand with his pregnant wife Priscilla, who beamed as she entered the White House lobby in a scoop-back red lace floor-length number.
Others spotted in attendance included former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, 92, and 78-year-old Madeleine Albright. Philanthropist David Rubenstein was also there, as was ballerina Misty Copeland, who giggled and said, 'I have no idea,' when reporters asked who she was wearing.
Meanwhile Michelle Obama - who wore a $2,300 dress to meet the Pope this week - diplomatically opted for a black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown created by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang.
Fitted, with sheer sleeves, it skimmed the floor with its tulle flounce as Mrs Obama swept her long hair off to one side.
Her Chinese counterpart Peng Liyuan, a fashion icon in her homeland, selected an embellished silk gown in a rich aquamarine hue. With three-quarter-length sleeves, it boasted intricate beading.
Of the frontline politicians arriving for the dinner, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao was caught out when asked what she was wearing, replying: 'Oh my gosh. It's something very inexpensive.'
The attendees were more likely to be enjoying the fine food and entertainment on offer than talking serious government policy tonight.
DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg went for traditional black suits with bow ties
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (right, with his wife Nancy) both went for traditional black suits with bow ties
Guest chef Anita Lo, owner of Annisa in New York and a past 'Top Chef' competitor, is a first-generation Chinese-American from Birmingham, Michigan.
The culinary team was cooking up a menu that highlights 'American cuisine with nuances of Chinese flavor,' according to the White House. Guests supped on wild mushroom soup, poached Maine lobster, grilled cannon of Colorado lamb and poppyseed bread and butter pudding.
The decor for the expansive East Room spread included a 16-foot silk scroll depicting two roses that the White House says were meant to symbolize 'a complete meeting of the minds.'
R&B singer Ne-Yo - who says his father is part-Chinese - performed a special set for guests at the dinner.
'It's going to be good,' he grinned, showing off his date. 'This is my lovely mother,' he added.
She was ecstatic. 'He's my only son,' she said. 'I'm the most proud mama.'
Dreamworks CEO and Democratic Party mega donor Jeffry Katzenberg said he was at the White House for 'fun' and not business, but the guest list – and especially the head table – read like a who's who of Silicon Valley and Hollywood.
Zucerkberg and Cook would be seated up close and personal to the two world leaders, along with Disney's Iger.
Once inside, guests were treated to a toast by the two presidents before dinner.
'During our visit to China, Michelle and I experience the traditions, the culture, the cuisine and the civilization that spans thousands of years,' President Obama began. 'I understand that in China there's a saying "Food is heaven," I dare not stand in the way of the divine so I'll be brief.'
Obama talked of his conversations today with President XI and how they planned to 'expand the cooperation' between the two nations.
'I know that some in both countries and around the world question whether we can sustain the cooperation that we need and the world needs,' Obama said, before telling a story of American airmen sheltered by Chinese villagers during World War II.
'And decades later, one Chinese man said of the American man he saved: "He's like the thumb on the hand and I'm like the finger. We are brothers together,"' Obama said. 'I think of the ties that are forged every single today and that we've worked to expand in our work today.'
The president noted how Americans are flocking to see Chinese sights - like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall - while Chinese visitors take in the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall.
'There will be time where there are differences between our two countries. That's inevitable. There will be times where our interested entirely overlap, but what I think will be sustained is friendship between our peoples, the foundation of the ties between our nations. Just as you say in China, that a sea accepts a hundred rivers, our countries together our stronger when we accept the diversity of the views and the contributions and uphold the rights of all our people,' Obama said.
'So I propose a toast: To the people of China and the people of the United States, may they work together like fingers on the same hand in friendship and in peace.'
President Xi stood up and called his state visit to the United States an 'unforgettable journey'.
'From the west coast to the east coast, what strikes me most is that the American people have a lot of goodwill towards the Chinese people,' Xi said. 'I want to assure you that such goodwill is fully reciprocated by the Chinese people.'
Xi talked about the three meetings he had with President Obama since his arrival and the candid conversations they shared, but then he turned to something more lighthearted: a trip to the zoo this morning with his wife and first lady Michelle Obama, where they named a panda.
Xi said his wife was 'deeply touched' by the interest American students have with pandas and with China.
'As an ancient Chinese saying goes "Only those who take actions can achieve their goals. Only those who stride forward can reach their destination." President Abraham Lincoln once said "the best way to predict the future is to create it,"' Xi said.
'And let's continue to respect and learn from each other, turn our blueprint into reality,' Xi said toasting to a 'new historic chapter in U.S.-China relations.'
The President's decision to give Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan the full-on pomp of a state dinner rankled some critics, including several GOP presidential candidates who said the Chinese were undeserving of such special treatment given recent behavior.
But Dan Kritenbrink, the National Security Council's senior director for Asian affairs, called it 'smart diplomacy' for the U.S. to reciprocate the hospitality that the Chinese have shown to the Obamas.
The state dinner comes after a day of crunch talks between Obama and Xi, which led to the two world powers reaching a 'common understanding' on steps to curb cyber spying.
But he warned the Asian nation it must demonstrate that it is not sponsoring cyber crime and espionage, and that it is enforcing the law against those using the Internet to steal U.S. companies' trade secrets.
'The question now is: are words followed by actions?' he said at a joint press conference with Xi. 'And we will be watching carefully to make an assessment as to whether progress has been made in this area.'
If China does not follow through, Obama said the United States will use sanctions, traditional law enforcement, and other measures 'to go after cyber criminals either retrospectively or prospectively,' a warning that the United States will work to prevent future crimes.
