On Saturday, November 1st, before the meeting between the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, both sides exchanged gifts. Xi Jinping presented two Xiaomi smartphones, and Lee Jae-myung immediately inquired about communication security, to which Xi responded, “Check if there are any backdoors.” Additionally, when Chinese officials introduced Peng Liyuan’s gift of West Lake tea set to Mrs. Lee Jae-myung, they mistakenly called Kim Hyung-jin instead of Kim Hyung-jing.
After concluding his participation in the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on November 1st, Xi Jinping conducted a state visit to South Korea. Prior to the meeting with Lee Jae-myung, both sides exchanged gifts.
According to reports from South Korean media, Lee Jae-myung gave Xi Jinping a set of white porcelain tea set, a Korean fir wood Go board, and a mother-of-pearl lacquerware round tray; Xi Jinping reciprocated with two Xiaomi flagship curved-screen smartphones, traditional tea set, a jade pen holder with a brush, and inkstone with ink stick.
When Chinese officials introduced the West Lake tea set presented by Peng Liyuan to Mrs. Lee Jae-myung, they mistakenly pronounced Kim Hyung-jing’s name as Kim Hyung-jin.
Of particular note, when Chinese officials introduced the two Xiaomi smartphones given by Xi Jinping, they mentioned that the curved screens were manufactured in South Korea. Lee Jae-myung then inquired about the communication security of the smartphones. Xi Jinping humorously replied, “You check if there are any backdoors,” prompting laughter from both of them and others present.
Netizens on social platform X mocked the situation, with comments like “See if there’s no silver here for three hundred taels,” “Is it possible to spot backdoors just with the eyes?” and “I was about to say a lot about backdoors, but I thought better of it to avoid troubles.”
It has been reported that Xiaomi smartphones are often suspected of being installed with backdoor programs that can steal personal information and monitor phone usage. In August of this year, tech giants Apple and Samsung jointly accused Xiaomi of engaging in “ambush marketing,” damaging their brand image.