During his recent visit to Malaysia, the paramount leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, was accompanied by the Malaysian Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, who represented the Democratic Action Party and presented a “Five-Clawed Golden Dragon” tinplate dragon sculpture to Xi Jinping in the basement of a hotel, prompting scrutiny from some political parties and netizens.
Loke defended the gesture, stating that presenting the gift in the basement was not a means of “backdoor dealings” but was in consideration of Xi’s security. Some commentators believe that the gift of the “Five-Clawed Golden Dragon” to Xi Jinping by Malaysian officials may bring misfortune, especially since the dragon statue bears the slogan of Deng Xiaoping, which could be seen as a taunt towards Xi.
Xi Jinping visited Malaysia from April 15 to 17. As reported by various Malaysian media outlets, including Sin Chew Daily, Anthony Loke, a Malaysian of Chinese descent, served as the “Minister-in-Attendance” during Xi’s visit. Loke accompanied Xi throughout his stay in Malaysia. On the day Xi departed (April 17), Loke presented a “Golden Dragon” souvenir to Xi in the hotel’s underground parking lot. In a video, Xi Jinping pointed at the souvenir and remarked, “It’s very exquisite.”
According to reports, the gift presented by Loke to Xi was a tinplated dragon sculpture. A similar item on the official website of the merchant is priced at approximately $1100, and the tinplated dragon given by Loke to Xi bears the inscription “East Wind Bolsters the Nation” on it.
The location where Loke presented the gift to Xi, suspected to be a backdoor, staircase, or basement, drew criticism from local netizens, with some questioning, “Do you know anything about diplomatic etiquette? Couldn’t you find a more dignified venue? Why all the secrecy?”
In response to the criticism, Anthony Loke stated on April 19 that the location where he presented the souvenir to Xi Jinping was the hotel’s underground parking lot, not a backdoor. He argued, “It was for Xi Jinping’s security work. Xi Jinping would go directly to the underground parking lot after leaving the hotel every day. The Chinese side also agreed to transfer the souvenir to him there.”
Overseas, on social media platforms, some netizens raised concerns, asking, “Does this amount to accepting bribes?”
In a video program, commentator Da Yu mentioned that the dragon sculpture presented is a “Five-Clawed Golden Dragon,” a symbol of imperial power in ancient China. He questioned why the minister chose to present that to Xi and why it was done in a concealed location, sparking controversy.
Da Yu commented that presenting a gift in such a place indeed seemed strange. If the intention was sincere, it should have been given at the airport or during any formal occasion or in private. Presenting the gift to Xi in the hotel basement before his departure, and recording it, makes it seem like a spontaneous idea, a whim to give Xi a bribe or benefit the Chinese Communist Party for future favor.
Da Yu also mentioned that Xi Jinping no longer holds real power, and returning with such a gift could be interpreted as either auspicious or ambiguous. The symbolism of the “Five-Clawed Golden Dragon” representing imperial power, coupled with Xi’s status, may lead to adverse consequences.
Da Yu further noted that the inscription on the tinplated dragon, “Bolstering the Nation with Practicality,” being a slogan from Deng Xiaoping, appears to be a jab at Xi Jinping for not being practical, as he is often criticized for unfinished projects. It seems like Loke chose the wrong way to flatter.
Additionally, Loke’s argument that presenting the gift in the basement was not a backdoor reveals a security secret about Xi, that he uses the hotel basement for entering and exiting the hotel daily.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia was treated with high security measures, with him even bringing a bulletproof car. Malaysian authorities heavily regulated the roads, ensuring tight security throughout his stay. Malaysian singer Namewee mocked Xi as a fake smiling enemy and reminded the Malaysian people that the Chinese Communist Party had once concealed information about the COVID-19 pandemic, engaged in organ harvesting, and encroached upon Malaysian waters, portraying the CCP as an enemy to Malaysia.