Recently, the Chinese Communist authorities held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin and a military parade in Beijing. Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed foreign leaders, resulting in a series of awkward moments. Firstly, Xi extended his hand for a handshake with Wan Azizah, the wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister, only to be politely declined. Following that, Peng Liyuan attempted to shake hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, but he also declined, sparking discussions among netizens.
On the morning of September 3rd, Xi Jinping and his wife greeted foreign dignitaries attending the military parade at the Gate of Heavenly Peace. When President Rouhani arrived with his daughter, Peng Liyuan reached out her right hand from afar. Rouhani put his right hand on his chest, avoiding contact, creating an awkward situation. When Peng Liyuan shook hands with Rouhani’s daughter, Rouhani even turned back, seemingly trying to explain to Peng Liyuan.
Prior to this, on August 31st, Xi Jinping and his wife welcomed international leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin. The official released video showed Xi Jinping greeting the wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar, by shaking hands. When Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah, made a bowing gesture with her hands clasped in advance, Xi Jinping still extended his right hand, seemingly attempting to shake hands with her. Wan Azizah remained in a bowing position for a longer period, indicating a possible refusal of physical contact. After Xi Jinping withdrew his hand, Wan Azizah then headed straight to Peng Liyuan to shake hands and exchange greetings.
The above video clips have sparked discussions on social media platforms overseas. Some questioned whether it was a diplomatic faux pas by Xi Jinping and his wife, while others suggested it could be an issue with the protocol arranged by the Chinese Communist foreign ministry.
Many netizens mocked the situation, saying, “This can be considered a diplomatic accident, I guess the director of protocol at the (Chinese Communist) Diplomatic Service will be in trouble”, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is really short of staff”, “Fortunately, they didn’t touch her hand, otherwise it would have caused a major diplomatic incident between the two countries”, “The (Chinese Communist) can’t even understand their own Eastern etiquette around them, yet they want to lead the whole world”.
Both Malaysia and Iran are predominantly Muslim countries. Apart from immediate family members, Muslims generally prohibit physical contact with the opposite sex, including handshakes or hugs.
However, in diplomatic settings, handshakes are not entirely forbidden. On August 31st, Anwar voluntarily shook hands with Peng Liyuan. Wan Azizah, the wife of Anwar, served as Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister in 2018 and shook hands with Indian Prime Minister Modi during his visit, as well as meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Masayuki Miki.