In a rare display of public humor, Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in lighthearted banter about smartphone security with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
The exchange occurred during a gift ceremony when Xi presented Lee with two Xiaomi smartphones featuring Korean-made displays. Lee quipped, "Is the communication line secure?" prompting Xi to respond with unexpected wit: "You should check if there is a backdoor" a reference to pre-installed software that could enable third-party monitoring.
The moment, captured by television cameras, generated significant media attention in South Korea, where Xi is rarely seen displaying humor, particularly on sensitive topics like espionage. "Xi bursts into laughter after Lee jokes about security of Xiaomi Phones," declared Seoul Shinmun newspaper on Monday.
The exchange represents one of the few times Xi has been caught unfiltered by cameras. Another notable instance occurred in September at a Beijing military parade, where a hot microphone captured Xi discussing biotechnology and longevity with North Korea's Kim Jong-un and Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Lee's spokesperson, Kim Nam-joon, characterized the jovial moment as evidence of genuine rapport between the leaders. "If it weren't for such chemistry, that kind of joke would not have been possible," Kim stated, noting the pair had multiple opportunities to bond during the two-day summit.
The backdrop adds layers to the humor: Washington has repeatedly warned that Chinese smartphones may contain "backdoors" exploitable by hackers, allegations Beijing has consistently denied.
Xi received his own gifts, including a hand-carved Go board, which he described as "exquisite." Both leaders are enthusiastic players of the ancient strategy game, adding another dimension to their diplomatic connection during Xi's first visit to South Korea in over a decade.
