Archive · 6 Nov 2025
China Blocks Release of Photos Showing Xi Jinping Laughing With Trump
Imagine President Xi Jinping from China met President Trump from the US.
The White House took some pictures where Xi was smiling really big, like he was happy and telling a joke.
They also have another picture from a different time where Xi laughed with another world leader.
But in China, the news and government like to show President Xi as very serious all the time.
They don't want people to see him smiling or laughing too much because it doesn't fit the image they want to show.
So, even though the White House has these smiling pictures, China is not showing them to its people.
It's like they are hiding the pictures that don't fit their story.
They do this by controlling what people can see on their internet and TV, making sure only serious pictures of their leader get shared.
The White House released photos showing Chinese President Xi Jinping smiling during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
These photos are not being released in China, where the government actively builds an image of seriousness for its leader.
Xi Jinping was previously seen laughing during a gift exchange with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
China's government strictly controls information and censors content, preventing the spread of images that do not align with its narrative.
Photos of Xi Jinping smiling or laughing are rare on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung
- What
- The White House released photos of President Xi Jinping smiling during a meeting with President Trump, but these photos are not being released in China due to the government's efforts to maintain an image of seriousness.
- When
- During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea.
- Where
- Busan, South Korea
- Why
- To maintain a carefully controlled image of seriousness for President Xi Jinping, as photos of him laughing or smiling are rare and not aligned with the government's narrative.
White House Photos
Chinese Government's Narrative
Xi Jinping's Demeanor
White House Photos
Photos released by the White House show Xi Jinping grinning with his eyes closed during a meeting with Donald Trump, suggesting a more relaxed and jovial side.
Chinese Government's Narrative
China's government and state media actively cultivate an image of seriousness for their president, making smiling or laughing photos a rarity and thus undesirable for domestic release.
Control of Information
White House Photos
The White House's release of candid photos offers a glimpse into moments that deviate from the carefully controlled public image of Xi Jinping.
Chinese Government's Narrative
China strictly controls information and its president's image, with censors easily removing any content not aligning with the government's narrative, thus preventing the release of potentially uncharacteristic photos.
- Event
- Bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump
- Location
- Busan, South Korea (on the sidelines of the APEC summit)
- Topics Discussed
- Soybeans, fentanyl, rare earth minerals, and computer chips
- Notable Photos
- White House released pictures showing Xi Jinping grinning with eyes closed while looking at a paper from Trump; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also seen smiling.
- Previous Instance of Xi Laughing
- Video captured Xi Jinping joking with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during a gift exchange, making light of communication security concerns.
- Chinese Social Media Platforms
- Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu
- Reason for Blocking Photos
- The Chinese government cultivates an image of seriousness and strictly controls information, making photos of Xi laughing or smiling rare and unaligned with the government's narrative.
Sources
'Cabinet Like Xi's': Trump Teases JD Vance, Says He Wants Him To Be Like 'Scared' Chinese Officials
'Never Seen Men So Scared, Want US Cabinet Like That': Trump On Xi's Officials
‘Never seen men so scared, want my cabinet like that’: Trump jokes about Xi’s officials
'Never seen men so scared': Trump wants his cabinet to behave like China's Xi Jinping's team — Video
‘Never seen men so scared’: Trump praises Xi Jinping’s disciplined officials, then laments, ‘JD doesn't behave like that’
‘Never seen men so scared’: Trump wants a Cabinet like Xi’s -- at least for a few days – ThePrint – Select
‘I want them to be like Xi’s staff’: Trump wants JD Vance to be like China’s yes men
