Xi Jinping gifts Lee Jae Myung Xiaomi phones, jokes about “checking for a backdoor” during South Korea visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping made headlines with a lighthearted remark to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung after gifting him a pair of Xiaomi smartphones, joking that he could “check if there’s a backdoor” during their state meeting following the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
- Xi Jinping gifted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung two Xiaomi smartphones during a state visit in Gyeongju and joked that Lee could “check if there’s a backdoor.”
- The remark went viral, highlighting tech rivalry concerns as Xi’s visit aimed to stabilise China–South Korea relations after 11 years.
- Both leaders held constructive talks on regional cooperation, trade, and reviving dialogue with North Korea.
GEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA — Chinese President Xi Jinping drew laughter from both delegations after making a lighthearted joke to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung while presenting him with a pair of Xiaomi smartphones during a state meeting following the APEC Summit.
Light moment amid diplomatic talks
During the exchange in Gyeongju, Xi handed Lee two Xiaomi phones and remarked with a smile, “You can check if there’s a backdoor,” after Lee playfully asked about the devices’ communication security.
The comment, referencing concerns over hidden access in tech hardware, quickly went viral across Chinese and South Korean social media platforms.
The humorous moment took place during Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years, signalling Beijing’s intent to stabilise ties with Seoul amid regional security tensions and ongoing U.S.-China trade rivalry.
Symbolic gesture in Samsung’s home turf
Xi’s gift of Chinese-made Xiaomi phones carried symbolic meaning, as the meeting occurred in the home country of Samsung Electronics, a global leader in smartphones and semiconductors.
Analysts noted that the gesture aligned with Xi’s campaign for technological self-reliance, one of the core themes of China’s latest five-year economic strategy.
Lee, in return, presented Xi with a handcrafted Go (baduk) board, symbolising wisdom and diplomacy.
Broader discussions on regional stability
At the summit, Lee urged China to play a greater role in reviving dialogue with North Korea, while Xi expressed Beijing’s readiness to deepen cooperation and tackle “common challenges” facing the region.
Both governments described the talks as “constructive and forward-looking,” highlighting progress in trade and cultural exchanges.
Observers noted that the “backdoor” remark also subtly referenced the tech security rivalry between China and the United States, particularly amid U.S. export restrictions on advanced chips — policies Beijing has criticised as discriminatory.
