It wasn't until Whitmarsh had been herded into the main hall that he grasped what he'd signed up for: 'a geopolitical event, not an intellectual one,' as he put it, with hosts including Greece and China's ministries of culture.
While at the festive market, Xi picked up a 45 yuan (4.79) bundle of delicacies from Daoxiangcun, a historic bakery known for its traditional snacks. According to the shopkeeper interviewed by Chinese media, Xi plumped for three items: honey-glazed dough twists, cream-filled dough twists and jujube flower pastries, a flakey, flower-shaped cookie with a filling made from red dates. Dough twists are made from fried pastry and are a popular local snack in Beijing.
China's leader, Xi Jinping, will attend the parade alongside 26 visiting heads of state. Among the notable guests: Russia's president Vladimir Putin, and North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un. Seating arrangements will be closely watched a photo-op of Xi, Putin and Kim side by side would be a powerful image. Other attendees include Belarus president Aleksandr Lukashenko, Iran's president Masoud Pezashkian and South Korea's National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik.
Authorities arrested Cui Guanghai and John Miller for allegedly hiring individuals to harass a Los Angeles resident critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping.