Following the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn with First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Madame Zhuo, President Jimmy Carter and Vice Premier Deng went to the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room for two meetings held during the day.

The State Dinner marked the first official return to the White House for former President Richard Nixon. Nixon and other guests dined on roasted stuffed lion of veal, timbale of seafood, saffron rice, broccoli spears, endive and watercress salad and Trappist cheese, with champagne and white wine. During the dessert of chestnut mousse and chocolate truffles, the U.S. Air Force Band Strolling Strings performed. After dinner, President Carter and Vice Premier Deng went to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a gala program of live entertainment featuring John Denver, the Harlem Globetrotters, Shirley MacLaine, and The Joffrey Ballet.

The first Chinese Premier to visit during the Reagan administration was Zhao Ziyang on January 10, 1984. Premier Zhao received a formal welcome with full military honors on the South Lawn of the White House.

After the welcoming ceremony, President Ronald Reagan and Premier Zhao met in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room with U.S. and Chinese Officials.

The State Dinner honoring Premier Zhao was held that evening. Guests dined on beef farcie en croute, poached turbot, and pomegranate sorbet. Violinist Isaac Stern performed as part of the entertainment in the East Room that evening.

During April of 1984, the Reagans went to China for an official visit. While there, First Lady Nancy Reagan received a high-necked, close-fitting dress made of red satin with cheongsam brocade from Madame Lin Jiamei of China. Mrs. Reagan decided to wear this dress for the State Dinner honoring Madame Lin and President Li Xiannian on July 23, 1985.

On July 23, President Reagan welcomed President Li to the South Portico of the White House, where he received a formal welcome with full military honors. Following the ceremony, the two Presidents met in the White House.