The White House announced that President Donald Trump on 24/9 spontaneously led Chinese President Xi Jinping and other dignitaries from a state dinner in the East Room to showcase a $400 million construction project nearby.

"To specially honor President Xi Jinping and Madam Peng Liyuan, I invite everyone present to step through the beautiful curtain behind us," President Trump said. "The banquet hall project you have heard about will not be completed for another year, but I am sure you will be amazed by what you are about to witness."

The banquet hall construction site before the two leaders' tea reception on 25/9. Photo: AP.

Reporters were subsequently asked to leave the dinner, but a White House official confirmed that President Trump had led President Xi and the guests on a tour of the construction site.

The guest list for the state dinner also included top technology leaders: Tesla owner Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The tour of one of the White House's most sensitive areas demonstrated President Trump's efforts to impress President Xi during his visit to the US, a trip aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two superpowers.

President Trump shook hands with President Xi as the two leaders arrived at the National Archives Museum in Washington on 25/9. Photo: AP.

Trump had previously described the project as "the world's most magnificent military complex and banquet hall," featuring a secure 6-story underground design and a rooftop drone landing pad. The US president cited national security to dismiss doubts about its building permits and costs.

President Trump had earlier led President Xi to view the exterior of the banquet hall while showcasing the White House's new helicopter landing pad, and also invited the Chinese leader aboard Marine One.