President Donald Trump’s recent comments comparing the new White House ballroom to China’s Great Hall of the People have revived attention on the Beijing landmark ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the United States later this month.
Speaking at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas last week, Trump characterized the Great Hall of the People as "a serious hall" but asserted that the forthcoming White House ballroom renovation would surpass it. The new facility, part of a broader East Wing revamp announced the previous year, is expected to open in September 2028. Trump emphasized it would be "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the USA," despite its significantly smaller scale compared to its Chinese counterpart.
Trump previously toured the Great Hall of the People during his May state visit to China. The US delegation participated in a welcoming ceremony, bilateral meetings, and a state banquet at the venue. Following the visit, Trump posted an image on social media of himself walking alongside Xi outside the building, remarking: “China has a ballroom, and so should the USA!”
The Great Hall of the People, located on the western edge of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, is a monumental government complex completed in 1959 as part of large-scale projects commemorating the 10th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. It functions as the primary site for China’s legislative sessions, state ceremonies, and diplomatic receptions. The facility hosts the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, collectively known as the “two sessions.”
The building covers approximately 170,000 square meters and houses a central auditorium seating 10,000, a banquet hall accommodating 5,000, and numerous meeting rooms, lounges, and offices, including spaces themed after China’s various provinces and regions. The Great Hall’s architecture is rich in symbolism, featuring a domed ceiling with a central red star, radiating beams, and decorative motifs. It represents both political authority and cultural heritage.
In contrast, the planned White House State Ballroom will occupy about 8,360 square meters with seating for 650 guests, a significant increase over the current East Room’s 200-seat capacity. The project, initiated by Trump’s administration in 2025, involved demolishing part of the East Wing to address limitations in hosting large official events but proceeded controversially without congressional approval. Critics raised concerns over historic preservation and funding, while supporters cited the need to eliminate reliance on external structures, such as tents on the South Lawn, for accommodating formal dinners.
China’s Great Hall also serves a ceremonial and diplomatic role, providing an elaborate backdrop for foreign delegations and state ceremonies. During Trump’s May visit, footage of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio admiring the intricate ceilings in one of the hall’s main reception areas circulated widely in China, underscoring the venue's cultural and political significance.
As President Xi’s visit approaches, Trump’s remarks highlight contrasting approaches to presidential reception facilities and underscore ongoing soft power considerations between the two countries.