Chinese President Xi Jinping shared an unusual moment of lighthearted banter with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung over smartphone security, revealing a rare display of public humor from the Chinese leader on a sensitive topic.
The exchange occurred during an informal meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju on Saturday, a visit marking Xi’s first to South Korea in over a decade. Xi Jinping presented Lee Jae-myung with two Xiaomi smartphones, which featured screens manufactured in South Korea. Upon receiving the gifts, President Lee playfully asked, “How is the communication security?”
President Xi laughed at the remark, then pointed to the devices and good-humoredly advised, “You should check to see if there is a backdoor.” He was referring to pre-installed software that could potentially allow third-party surveillance, a common concern with Chinese-made technology. This comment drew further laughter and applause from President Lee.
The brief, candid exchange quickly captured significant media attention throughout the weekend. It was particularly notable because Chinese leaders infrequently exhibit such humor, especially when discussing topics related to espionage or cybersecurity. South Korean newspaper Seoul Shinmun highlighted the incident with a Monday headline stating, “Xi laughs loudly after Lee jokes about Xiaomi phone security.”
A video of the interaction, which circulated online, garnered more than 800 comments from viewers. One user remarked, “It feels like a kung fu master exchanging moves in a duel,” underscoring the unexpected nature of the conversation.
According to Kim Nam-jun, a spokesperson for President Lee Jae-myung, the relaxed moment reflected a growing personal rapport between the two leaders, cultivated over multiple meetings during their two-day engagement. Kim told AFP that such teasing would likely have been impossible without the goodwill established through various interactions, including welcoming ceremonies, gift exchanges, banquets, and cultural events.