Xi Jinping Jokes About ‘Backdoor’ Spying as He Gifts Xiaomi Phones to South Korean President

A rare moment of humour from Chinese President Xi Jinping has gone viral after he joked about potential spying through Chinese smartphones during a meeting with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung.

The exchange took place over the weekend in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, on the sidelines of the Apec Summit, marking Xi’s first visit to South Korea in more than a decade.

As the two leaders exchanged gifts, Xi presented Lee with two Xiaomi smartphones fitted with Korean-made displays. Lee, smiling, asked whether the devices were “secure.”

In an unusually witty reply, Xi gestured toward the phones and said, “You should check if there is a backdoor,” drawing laughter and applause from Lee and those present.

The remark referenced long-running concerns—especially from Washington—that Chinese-made smartphones and apps could contain “backdoors” allowing third-party monitoring or hacking. Beijing has consistently denied allegations of cyber espionage.

The brief exchange, caught on camera, dominated South Korean media on Monday. The Seoul Shinmun ran the headline: “Xi bursts into laughter after Lee jokes about security of Xiaomi Phones.”

Observers say the banter offered a rare glimpse of Xi’s lighter side, as he is known for his serious demeanour. The Chinese leader’s spontaneous humour surprised many, given that issues of surveillance and cybersecurity are typically sensitive topics for Beijing.

Lee’s spokesperson, Kim Nam-joon, later said the light-hearted moment reflected the growing rapport between the two presidents:

“From welcoming ceremonies and gift exchanges to the banquet and cultural performances, both leaders had multiple opportunities to engage and build personal chemistry. Without such chemistry, that kind of joke would not have been possible.”

Xi did not leave empty-handed. Lee gifted him a hand-carved Go board and a mother-of-pearl tray, both crafted by South Korean artisans. A fellow Go enthusiast, Xi reportedly described the gifts as “exquisite.”

The viral moment follows another unguarded scene from Xi in September, when a hot mic caught him in conversation with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un at a Beijing military parade, discussing organ transplants and human longevity.

Clips of Xi and Lee’s phone exchange have since drawn millions of views online, with one YouTube user likening it to “martial arts masters trading lines in a duel.”