Why Xi Jinping's Laughing Photos From White House Meeting Won't Appear in Chinese Media

Images showing Xi Jinping smiling and laughing are conspicuously absent from Chinese social media platforms.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has cultivated a reputation for solemnity and seriousness, carefully maintained by government authorities and state media organizations.

The Chinese leader recently met with US President Donald Trump for bilateral discussions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea. Their talks covered important topics including soybeans, fentanyl, rare earth minerals, and semiconductor chips.

Beyond the diplomatic proceedings, the White House has released photographs revealing a more relaxed side of Xi. These images depict both presidents seated across from each other, surrounded by their respective officials. In one notable photo, Xi appears grinning with eyes closed while looking at a document presented by Trump. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also visible smiling nearby.

In a previous incident last month, Reuters captured video footage of the Chinese president sharing a humorous moment with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during an exchange of gifts. Lee presented Xi with a wooden Go chess board, while receiving two China-manufactured Xiaomi phones in return.

When Lee inquired about the "communication security" of the devices, Xi and others erupted in laughter. Xi quipped, "You can check if there's a backdoor," referencing allegations that China incorporates hidden access points in their technology products that allow unauthorized device access without user knowledge.

However, such displays of humor by Xi remain exceptionally rare. His administration has significantly restricted freedom of expression in China and maintains strict control over information flow, including his own public image. With Western news websites and social media platforms blocked in China, government censors can easily remove any coverage of Xi that contradicts official narratives.

Consequently, photographs showing the Chinese leader smiling or laughing are virtually nonexistent on domestic platforms like Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu. Only limited posts regarding the gift exchange between Xi and Lee appeared on Weibo, and these came from Chinese-language news sites operating outside mainland China.