From China to Indonesia, how G-20 hosts serve dinner with a side of soft power

China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan walk at the welcoming dinner during the G20 Summit in Badung on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 15, 2022. (Photo by WILLY KURNIAWAN / POOL / AFP)

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Bloomberg): It’s a dinner like no other when your guest list includes the leaders of nations representing about 80% of the world’s gross domestic product and 75% of global trade. This year’s G-20 summit host, Indonesia, is pouncing on the chance to showcase its food, helping its efforts to make friends and influence people.

For the Bali summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others dined al fresco, with a spread of beef rendang (Indonesia’s prized stew), steamed cod and asparagus in Balinese turmeric dressing, followed by Aceh chocolate mousse.