【Epoch Times, October 15, 2025】During a recent visit to North Korea, Chinese Premier Li Qiang bid farewell to Kim Jong Un, and a video of Kim Jong Un with his hands in his pockets has sparked discussion online.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited North Korea from October 9 to 11.
A video clip circulating online appears to show Li Qiang bidding farewell to Kim Jong Un, with Kim Jong Un standing with his hands in his pockets, constantly turning his head to speak to his subordinates, and eventually nodding slightly towards Li Qiang. Kim Jong Un remained expressionless throughout. At that moment, Li Qiang had his hands down, seemingly waiting for Kim Jong Un’s instructions.
As Li Qiang left in a car, he waved goodbye to Kim Jong Un inside the vehicle, while Kim Jong Un simply waved a hand briefly before turning away. (Video link)
This video clip has gone viral on X platform overseas, prompting many netizens to mock the Chinese Communist Party:
“Being a nation’s premier, it’s shameful to act so subservient in front of a dictator. This is the most disrespected premier since the establishment of the CCP.”
“Acting arrogantly in front of leaders of democratic countries, but timid in front of leaders of autocratic countries. Remember the defense minister who saluted Putin?”
“Embarrassing and obvious, a premier of a great nation acting like a child in front of a gang boss.”
“Kim Jong Un bids farewell to Li Qiang with his hands in his pockets. One is 41 years old, the other 66. One a small country emperor, the other a premier of a large country. Remember in 2011, when then Vice Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang visited North Korea, Kim Jong Un and his father Kim Jong Il sat on the left and right of Li Keqiang, giving the central position to Li Keqiang.”
“The seniority in politics is not determined by age but by who rose to power first. When Kim Jong Un became the ruler, Li Qiang was just a provincial-level official, even though Kim Jong Un was 28 and Li Qiang was 66. Li Qiang was a newcomer, and the previous Premier Li Keqiang had real power before he was sidelined by Xi in 2015. Li Qiang has always been a weak premier (supporting role) since he took office, and no one respects those without real power.”
“He (Kim Jong Un) has seen through China’s facade and prefers the reliability of Russia. The Chinese Communist Party only talks the talk without delivering.”
Earlier photos have shown that when meeting with visitors from Russia or Vietnam, Kim Jong Un and his counterpart each brought their own teams and the meeting rooms were full. However, when meeting with Li Qiang’s delegation, Kim Jong Un only had one official present. (Photo link) (Previously reported: Li Qiang’s behavior during the visit to North Korea mocked by netizens, CCP’s diplomacy criticized as embarrassing)
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun posted saying that based on the publicly available TV footage and photos, Li Qiang does not seem like someone who is preparing to take over, not even in front of Kim Jong Un; instead, he resembles an old minister or steward.