
President Obama hosted Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching at the 12th state dinner of his administration tonight in Washington.

The black-tie affair – called by the White House a 'celebration of summer bounty' – marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the U.S. and the city-state, which Obama refers to as an anchor for the U.S. presence in Southeast Asia.

Obama spoke of these five decades of friendship tonight when he gave his toast before dinner began.

'Nearly 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson welcomed to the White House the first prime minister of a newly independent Singapore – a man hailed as "a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of the new Asia" – Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew,' Obama reminded his crowd of 200 guests.

'A half century later, Michelle and I are honored to welcome his son – a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of a rising, thriving Asia Pacific,' Obama said.

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama await the arrival of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching on the North Portico of the White House

The black-tie dinner in honor of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (center right) and his wife, Ho Ching (far left)

Singapore was the first Southeast Asian country to join in the fight against the Islamic State group. Pictured: Michelle greets PM Lee Hsien Loong and wife Ho Ching

The allies share close economic and security ties, with more than 3,500 U.S. companies having a presence in Singapore

First lady Michelle Obama, wearing one of Lady Gaga's favorite designers, greets Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

The two world leaders enter the White House with their wives as President Obama kicks off his 13th state dinner

President Obama gives a toast at tonight's state dinner with Singapore honoring the country's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong

Tonight's state dinner is taking place in the East Room and will be followed by a performance in the State Dining Room

The allies share close economic and security ties, with more than 3,500 U.S. companies having a presence in Singapore, an island nation of about 5.7 million people.

Singapore was the first Southeast Asian country to join in the fight against the Islamic State group. Both countries also signed onto last year's Paris climate agreement.

Lee, during his toast, remembered meeting Obama back in May 2007.

'You were in the midst of a hard-fought presidential campaign, and not yet the front-runner for the Democratic nomination,' he said to laughs. 'But I was struck by your focus, your informed interest in Asia, and your desire to cement America's role in it.'

'Your years growing up in Indonesia gave you direct experience of Southeast Asia's cultures and challenges,' he continued.

'As President, your personal leadership and decision to rebalance to Asia has won America new friends and strengthened old partnerships, including with Singapore,' Lee added.

Also in attendance was basketball coach and FLOTUS big brother Craig Robinson and wife Kelly

US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power and her husband, the author Cass Sunstein, were also there

Dressed to impress: US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) and Singapore's Ho Ching, wife of Prime Minister lee Hsien Loong both look the part for tonight's State Dinner

Actors Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys arrive for a State Dinner for Singapore Lee Hsien Loong

The entertainer for the night Chrisette Michele, accompanied by Doug Ellison, said she would be performing her own songs at the state dinner

For tonight's festivities first lady Michelle Obama donned a strapless, ivory gown by American designer Brandon Maxwell – the longtime stylist to pop singer Lady Gaga – who's a red carpet favorite.

Maxwell, originally from Longview, Texas, became a household name because of his work with Lady Gaga, but has also dressed stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Wiig and Uma Thurman.

The guest list was studded with diplomats - including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, as well as those at the top of their game in the arts, literary and business worlds.

One of the first couples to arrive were the two biggest celebrities at tonight's dinner – Matthew Rhys and his partner Keri Russell, who play Russian spies pretending to be U.S. citizens on the television show 'The Americans.'

'They asked if I had papers,' joked Rhys, who's British, sporting a full beard and holding onto Russell's arm.

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was guided by her husband Mark Kelly as she walked through the booksellers entrance of the White House, being ushered into the dinner.

Like many women at tonight's fete she opted for a black lacy dress.

First lady Michelle Obama's brother, ESPN analyst Craig Robinson, said his sister did 'terrific ... as usual' when asked about her Democratic National Convention speech that she delivered in Philadelphia last week.

Steve Jobs widow Laurene Powell with boyfriend Adrian Fenty, the former mayor of D.C., looked the part while Washington, D.C. bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times Lynn Sweet, right, and Mary Shearer went for classic and elegant

Former Arizona politician turned gun control advocate Gabrielle Giffords, left, and her astronaut husband Capt. Mark Kelly

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser linked arms with her date Jason Turner. Turner's ex-wife Stacie was one of the 'Real Housewives of D.C.,' which was cancelled after one season in part because Tareq and Michaele Salahi crashed a White House state dinner

Singer Chrisette Michele, devulged to reporters that she was wearing Manolo Blahnik shoes and a Roberto Cavalli dress during her arrival with Doug Ellison

Left: Michelle Obama and Madam Ho Ching show off their elegant gowns. Right: Author Amy Tan stands out in silver gown designed by Issey Miyake along with a chic bob and a statement necklace

Author Amy Tan, known best for her tome 'The Joy Luck Club' joked that she was at the White House tonight because, 'I think that they have invited people who are Asian.'

The Chinese-American writer has, however, been to Singapore – and has been invited to the White House for state dinners a handful of times.

Attendees also included business executive Timothy Armstrong, the chairman and chief executive officer of AOL, Douglas Oberhelman, chairman and chief executive officer of Caterpillar Inc., and Stephen Lee, the chairman of Singapore Airlines.

A current and former D.C. mayor got attention because of their dates. Former Mayor Adrien Fenty accompanied his girlfriend Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple's Steve Jobs.

Mayor Muriel Bowser brought along Jason Turner, whose ex-wife Stacie Turner was one of Bravo's 'Real Housewives of D.C.,' a reality show that only lasted on season thanks, in part, to Tareq and Michaele Salahi crashing a White House state dinner in 2009.

President Barack Obama, right, and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, talk after toasting each other during a state dinner

There were multiple raised glasses throughout the evening

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also raised a toast to President Barack Obama

Guests were also serenaded by singer Chrisette Michele, who performed during the State Dinner

US President Barack Obama addresses the state dinner, which saw guests feast on Maryland blue crab salad and American Wagyu beef dressed with roasted yam

President Obama opened his toast talking about the great food of Singapore.

'Now, we all know how seriously Singaporeans take their food,' Obama said.

'In Singapore, even the street vendors – the hawker stalls – earn Michelin stars, which creates some pressure this evening,' he continued.

'We have a lot to live up to,' the president added.

He said he was tempted to have his kitchen concoct some 'Singapore Slings,' a popular pink cocktail, or some chili crab.

'However, for those of you who know its unmistakable scent – which never seems to go away – you’ll understand why we are not serving a fruit known as durian here in the White House,' Obama said, speaking about a type of fruit from the Asian country that has a scent reminiscent of a gym sock.

The dinner actually served at the White House opened with a Maryland blue crab salad, tossed in an Asian citrus curd and rimmed with slivered baby cucumbers. The salad course was to showcase heirloom tomatoes from Ohio paired with lime basil from Michelle Obama's garden, as well as mangoes, cucumbers, green papayas and soursop sorbet.

American Wagyu beef dressed with roasted yams, wilted kale and heirloom carrots anchored the main course for some 200 guests seated at round tables in the East Room.

Earlier in the day, the two leaders held a joint press conference in which Lee ensured that Singapore would continue to work closely with the United States regardless of who wins this year's tumultuous presidential election

President Barack Obama and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stand and watch a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. The black-tie dinner in honor of Loong and his wife, Ho Ching

Dessert is peach sangria cake accented with coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves, a citrus fruit native to Asia, and dressed with White House honey.

Pastry chef Susie Morrison also showed off the handmade, spun-sugar orchids and roses she prepared for each table.

California and New York red, white and sparkling wines will be served.

Floral arrangements for the dinner will consist of yellow orchids, yellow roses and other yellow flowers. The color symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.

During his toast, Lee also brought up the flower – and even made a 'birther' joke at the American president's expense.

Michelle Obama wipes something off the president's nose as they prepare to welcome the Prime Minister of Singapore to the White House

President Obama squinted slightly as his wife touched his wife in front of the crowds

'To mark the 50th anniversary of our relations, Singapore has named an orchid hybrid in honor of President and Mrs. Obama,' Singapore's prime minister revealed.

'And this is a hybrid of breeds native to Singapore and Hawaii, where the president was born – most of us believe,' he said, nodding to a conspiracy theory floated by Republican nominee Donald Trump that suggested Obama was born in Africa instead of Hawaii.

'We think it's a fitting tribute to America's first Pacific President and a beautiful symbol of the flourishing ties between our countries,' Lee said.

After dinner, R&B and soul singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele entertained guests.

Michele, sporting a Robert Cavalli dress and Manolo Blahnik heels, said to reporters as she entered tonight's dinner that she would be playing a selection of her own songs including 'Be OK' and 'Blame it on me'

Obama (right), First lady Michelle (second left)), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore wave from the balcony during their arrival ceremony

She shared a joke with Carol Fisher (right), chief creative officer of Savoy Elementary School

Obama (right), First lady Michelle (second left)), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore wave from the balcony during their arrival ceremony

Earlier in the day, the two leaders held a joint press conference in which Lee ensured that Singapore would continue to work closely with the United States regardless of who wins this year's tumultuous presidential election.

Michelle Obama was on hand to clean up the president's appearance as he greeted the Prime Minister of Singapore.

The first lady wiped her husband's nose in front of the crowds in Washington, D.C., as Lee Hsien Loong and his wife arrived.

President Obama squinted slightly as his wife reached out and touched his face.

But it appeared to save the Commander-in-chief from any embarrassment.

The pair looked like any normal couple as they walked onto the red carpet holding hands as Loong kicked off his state visit.

At the afternoon events, Michelle wore a custom-designed yellow dress while her husband donned his usual attire – a suit.

After elections, 'positions are re-thought, strategies are nuanced and a certain balance is kept in the direction of the ship of state. It doesn't turn completely upside down,' Lee observed.