Key Takeaways
- Xi Jinping gifts Xiaomi phones to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung
- Chinese leader jokes about checking for ‘backdoor’ during exchange
- Incident highlights tech security tensions in diplomatic relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping displayed rare humour during a diplomatic meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, gifting him Xiaomi smartphones and jokingly suggesting he check for security ‘backdoors’. The exchange occurred in Gyeongju following the APEC summit, marking Xi’s first visit to South Korea in over a decade.
Diplomatic Gift Exchange
The lighthearted moment unfolded after President Lee presented Xi with a handcrafted Go board, symbolizing strategy and intellect. In return, Xi offered two Xiaomi devices in black boxes. An aide noted the displays were manufactured in South Korea, underscoring the nations’ intertwined yet competitive technology relationship.
The Backdoor Remark
When Lee inquired about communication security, Xi laughed and responded, “You can check if there’s a backdoor,” generating laughter from both delegations. The comment referenced ongoing global concerns about hidden security vulnerabilities in technology products.
Tech Security Context
The term ‘backdoor’ describes hidden pathways that bypass normal security protocols – a sensitive topic in international tech politics. Chinese companies like Huawei and Xiaomi have faced Western scrutiny over alleged data risks, which both firms deny. Xi’s remark appeared to reference US discussions about embedding tracking functions in exported AI chips, an approach Beijing has previously criticized.
Viral Diplomacy
Neither Xiaomi nor China’s foreign ministry commented on the viral exchange, while Lee’s office declined further statement. Nevertheless, Xi’s witty comment quickly trended online, demonstrating how technology diplomacy captures public attention in the digital age.
