In a rare moment of diplomatic levity, Chinese President Xi Jinping made headlines worldwide when he joked about espionage with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during an APEC summit meeting. The unexpected exchange, which centered around a gift of Chinese smartphones, has captivated international media and offered a glimpse into the usually guarded personality of China's top leader.

The Unprecedented Exchange: What Happened in Gyeongju?

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, during Xi Jinping's first visit to South Korea in over a decade, an extraordinary diplomatic moment unfolded in the historic city of Gyeongju. As news cameras rolled, Xi presented South Korean President Lee Jae Myung with two Xiaomi smartphones—one for the president and one for his wife. These weren't ordinary phones; they featured Korean-made displays, symbolizing the technological cooperation between the two nations.

As President Lee inspected the phones, still in their boxes, he casually asked about their security. "Is the communication line secure?" Lee inquired with a smile. Xi's response was immediate and unexpected: he laughed heartily before replying, "You can check if there's a backdoor."

The reference to "backdoors"—pre-installed software that allows third-party monitoring of devices—is typically a sensitive subject in international relations, particularly given ongoing tensions about cybersecurity and surveillance between major powers. Yet here was Xi Jinping, openly joking about one of the most contentious issues in modern geopolitics.

Why This Moment Matters: Breaking Diplomatic Protocol

World leaders rarely, if ever, discuss espionage publicly. It's an unspoken rule of international diplomacy—an "old-fashioned gentlemen's agreement," as historian John Delury describes it—where nations pretend covert activities simply don't exist. Everyone knows countries spy on each other, but acknowledging it openly breaks a fundamental diplomatic taboo.

Xi Jinping's joke is especially significant because he's notoriously reserved in public appearances. The Chinese president rarely speaks off-script or makes spontaneous remarks, preferring carefully orchestrated public events. This makes his playful banter about espionage all the more remarkable—and newsworthy.

The Viral Reaction: Social Media Explodes

The exchange immediately went viral across Asian media outlets and social platforms. South Korean newspaper Seoul Shinmun ran the headline: "Xi bursts into laughter after Lee jokes about security of Xiaomi Phones." A video of the exchange on YouTube garnered over 800 comments within hours, with viewers expressing surprise and fascination.

One YouTube commenter with the handle 021835 captured the mood perfectly: "It feels like martial arts masters trading lines in a duel." The metaphor resonated with many viewers who saw the exchange as a sophisticated dance of diplomatic wit—two leaders testing each other with humor while acknowledging uncomfortable truths.

The Context: China-South Korea Relations and the APEC Summit

This moment of levity didn't occur in a vacuum. Xi's visit to South Korea marks his first trip to the country in 11 years, signaling a potential thaw in relations that have been strained by various geopolitical tensions. The APEC summit in Gyeongju provided the perfect backdrop for rekindling diplomatic ties.

According to Lee's spokesman Kim Nam-joon, the chemistry between the two leaders developed over multiple encounters during the two-day summit. "From welcoming ceremonies and gift exchanges to a banquet and cultural performances, both leaders had multiple opportunities to engage and build personal chemistry," Kim explained. "If it weren't for such chemistry, that kind of joke would not have been possible."

Will President Lee Actually Use the Phones?

The question on everyone's mind: Will South Korea's president actually use the Chinese smartphones gifted by Xi Jinping? When asked, spokesman Kim Nam-joon left the door open. "While nothing has been decided, he could use the phone," he stated diplomatically.

The reality is more complex. In an era of heightened cybersecurity concerns, particularly regarding Chinese technology, actually using the phones could send various signals. Using them might demonstrate trust and strengthen bilateral relations, while avoiding them could suggest ongoing security concerns—even if unstated publicly.

The Bigger Picture: Technology, Trust, and International Relations

This seemingly lighthearted exchange touches on one of the most serious issues in modern international relations: the intersection of technology, surveillance, and national security. Western nations, particularly the United States, have repeatedly raised concerns about Chinese technology companies and potential security risks.

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant behind the gifted phones, has faced its share of scrutiny. While the company has consistently denied that its devices pose security risks, concerns about data privacy and potential government access to user information persist in some quarters.

By joking about backdoors, Xi effectively acknowledged these concerns while simultaneously defusing them with humor. It's a sophisticated diplomatic move that allows both leaders to address the elephant in the room without creating tension.

Expert Perspectives: What This Reveals About Modern Diplomacy

China historian John Delury, based in Seoul, views the exchange as particularly revealing. He notes that while it's an "open secret" that nations spy on each other, leaders almost never acknowledge it publicly. Xi's willingness to joke about it suggests either growing confidence in China's position or a genuine attempt to build personal rapport with Lee.

The incident also highlights how modern diplomacy increasingly occurs in the glare of social media and instant communication. What might once have remained a private exchange between leaders is now broadcast worldwide, analyzed, memed, and debated across digital platforms within hours.

FAQs About Xi Jinping's Espionage Joke

Why is Xi Jinping's joke about espionage so unusual?

Xi rarely speaks spontaneously in public and almost never makes jokes. More importantly, world leaders typically avoid any public mention of espionage as part of diplomatic protocol, even though everyone knows surveillance occurs between nations.

What is a "backdoor" in smartphone technology?

A backdoor refers to pre-installed software or hardware features that allow third parties to access a device's data, communications, or functions without the user's knowledge. It's a major concern in cybersecurity and international surveillance debates.

When was Xi Jinping's last visit to South Korea?

Xi's visit to Gyeongju for the APEC summit marked his first trip to South Korea in over 11 years, signaling a potential warming of relations between the two countries.

What phones did Xi give President Lee?

Xi gifted two Xiaomi smartphones with Korean-made displays—one for President Lee Jae Myung and one for his wife—symbolizing technological cooperation between China and South Korea.

How did South Korean media react to the exchange?

South Korean media extensively covered the moment, with headlines focusing on Xi's rare display of humor. Videos of the exchange went viral on social media, attracting hundreds of comments and widespread discussion about this unprecedented diplomatic moment.

Conclusion: A Moment That Transcended Diplomacy

Xi Jinping's joke about espionage represents more than just a humorous exchange between world leaders. It's a window into the complex dynamics of modern international relations, where technology, security, and personal relationships intersect in increasingly public ways.

Whether this moment leads to genuinely improved relations between China and South Korea remains to be seen. What's certain is that for a brief moment in Gyeongju, two leaders broke through the formality of diplomatic protocol to acknowledge, with laughter, one of the uncomfortable realities that shape the world they navigate.

As global politics continue to evolve in an age of instant communication and heightened surveillance concerns, perhaps moments of honest humor—even about sensitive topics—offer a path toward more authentic international dialogue.