Xi Jinping recently showcased his dual persona of stoic leader and unexpected humorist during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in South Korea. Ahead of the summit, the Chinese president was leading a major party central committee plenum. Observers agree that this move strengthens Xi’s reputation for exercising a firm grip on China’s political machinery. His authoritative presence continues to dominate the political landscape, reflecting a marked departure from the flamboyant leadership style of his predecessor, Jiang Zemin.
Over his twelve-year tenure, Xi has cultivated an aura of seriousness and stability. Yet he is most often cited for his stoicism and limited emotional expression in public. He’s not one to give handouts when it comes to smiles. Jiang is memorable for his charismatic flair and unusual willingness to open himself up to journalists. Under Xi’s direction, elite politics in China have become even more inscrutable. He has 10,000 jailers monitoring speech public and private, and brutally punishes any dissent or criticism. This has greatly limited freedom of expression. As many outside observers have commented, this inflexible regime has resulted in a far tamer public debate inside the country.
Despite this reputation for seriousness, Xi was caught on camera exhibiting a rare moment of levity during interactions with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung. In an apparently joking comment, Xi gave the visiting Lee and his wife two China-produced Xiaomi mobile phones. When Lee inquired about the security of their communications, Xi quipped, “You can look to see if there is a backdoor.” His wisecrack sent everyone into hysterics. This moment was particularly notable given his otherwise reserved nature.
Xi’s success at the APEC summit provided him another opportunity to cement China’s leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. It further afforded him the time and space to pursue significant bilateral diplomacy. Among these, perhaps his most significant meeting was with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter’s brief stop-over at Gimhae Air Base, Busan. Imagine what kind of game Xi is playing in these major international meets. Simultaneously, he exerts remarkable control over domestic policy.
As always, Xi added his own distinctive flair to proceedings. He got into a witty back-and-forth with President Lee as well. In this 2001 shot he presides over a military parade in a Mao suit. This decision helped strengthen his autocratic persona while simultaneously reaching deep into historical imagery with potent cosmological effects. These comparatively looser international appearances rarely penetrate the Chinese public consciousness thanks to the domestic internet that the government has reinforced as a digital Great Wall. As a result, many residents are deprived the opportunity to hear this complex, rich, and humanizing description of their elected official.
The juxtaposition of Xi’s serious demeanor and occasional glimpses of humor raises questions about the image he projects both domestically and internationally. While he remains steadfast in his control over China’s political narrative, these rare displays of personality hint at a leader who is aware of the complexities of communication in today’s global landscape.
