U.S. Treasury Secretary’s ‘Culinary Diplomacy’ Hits Sweet Spot in China

As U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up her second trip to China in just nine months this week, her enthusiastic and highly publicized sampling of the country’s culinary offerings continued to capture almost as much attention as her high-level government meetings among local netizens and state media alike.

During a six-day visit packed with official meetings with her Chinese counterparts, Yellen took time out from her schedule to try a broad range of traditional Chinese dishes and regional cuisines, including Cantonese and from Sichuan, in addition to raising a glass of locally brewed beer at a Beijing taphouse.