In a striking display of diplomatic camaraderie, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung captured a historic selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted by the Chinese leader—the same device that previously sparked espionage-related banter between the two leaders. The photograph, featuring both leaders and their wives, was posted on social media platform X during President Lee’s official visit to Beijing on Monday.
The Xiaomi handset became a subject of international attention last November when President Xi humorously suggested Lee should ‘check if there is a backdoor’ regarding the device’s security during their meeting at the APEC summit in South Korea. This rare display of humor from the typically reserved Chinese leader added an unusual dimension to diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.
The selfie post generated substantial online engagement, being shared over 3,400 times within hours of publication. One social media user quipped, ‘Sir, Do you know Nicolas Maduro used the same phone?’—a reference to recent geopolitical events involving Venezuela.
President Lee’s Beijing visit occurred against the backdrop of increasing global complexity, with President Xi emphasizing the importance of making ‘the right strategic choices’ during their 90-minute summit. The South Korean leader, who assumed office in June following his predecessor’s impeachment, has actively pursued improved relations with China after years of diplomatic stagnation.
Following his meeting with Xi, President Lee engaged with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, praising the warming bilateral relations as ‘the irreversible trend of the times.’ The South Korean delegation subsequently traveled to Shanghai, China’s economic powerhouse, continuing their diplomatic and economic discussions.