Xi Jinping jokes about phone security during gift exchange with South Korean President | World News
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, left, inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits were held in Gyeongju, South Korea. (AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping made a rare joke about phone security during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, after presenting him with two Chinese-made smartphones at the weekend.
The exchange happened on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea Xi’s first visit to the country in more than ten years.
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What Happened During the Exchange
Xi handed over two Xiaomi smartphones fitted with Korean-made displays as gifts. Lee then smiled and asked, “Is the communication line secure?”
Xi, who is not known for public jokes, replied with a laugh: “You should check if there is a backdoor,” referring to pre-installed software that could allow hidden access to devices. The comment drew laughter and applause from Lee and others present.
Clips of the moment quickly spread on South Korean television and social media. Seoul Shinmun ran the headline: “Xi bursts into laughter after Lee jokes about security of Xiaomi phones.”
Why It Drew Attention
The light moment stood out because discussions about technology and security between China and other nations are often tense. The United States has repeatedly warned that some Chinese phones and apps could contain “backdoors” that allow spying or hacking. Beijing has denied such allegations.
For many observers, the exchange was an unusual display of humour from Xi. The Guardian noted that the Chinese President is rarely seen making off-the-cuff comments, especially on sensitive topics like surveillance and cybersecurity.
How It Was Received in South Korea
Lee’s spokesperson, Kim Nam-joon, said the moment reflected the two leaders’ growing rapport after several meetings during the summit.
“From welcoming ceremonies and gift exchanges to a banquet and cultural performances, both leaders had multiple opportunities to engage and build personal chemry,” Kim said. “If it weren’t for such chemry, that kind of joke would not have been possible.”
Videos of the conversation attracted large online audiences, with some South Korean users comparing the exchange to “martial arts masters trading lines in a duel.”
Xi also received gifts from Lee, including a hand-carved Go board and a mother-of-pearl tray. South Korean media quoted Xi describing the board as “exquisite.” Both leaders are known to enjoy the ancient strategy game.
