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Chinese President Xi Jinping presented South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung with a pair of Xiaomi smartphones during a state visit on Saturday, playfully suggesting he “check for a backdoor.” This event took place after the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, marking Xi’s first visit to an ally of the US in 11 years.
Lee hosted Xi at a formal summit and dinner following the leaders’ meeting, with the choice of Xiaomi devices—produced in China and specifically from the country of smartphone leader Samsung—highlighting China’s technological ambitions that are also emphasized in its five-year economic development plan.
After receiving a beautifully carved wooden board for the ancient game Go, Xi and Lee later approached the wrapped smartphones. An official noted that the devices’ screens were made in South Korea. Lee examined one box briefly and asked Xi, “How is the communication security?” to which Xi and others burst into laughter. Xi then pointed at the phones and replied, “You can check if there’s a backdoor.”
The term “backdoor” refers to a hidden way to bypass regular security or authentication controls. Both leaders shared a laugh and continued exchanging gifts, including a traditional Korean lacquered tray with mother-of-pearl inlay.
Xi’s remark echoed concerns by China over a US proposal to embed tracking and positioning features into advanced chips sold internationally. Nvidia, a major US chipmaker, stated its chips contained no backdoors.
China’s foreign ministry and Xiaomi have yet to respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the exchange. Lee’s office declined to comment further.
During the summit, Lee asked Xi for assistance in resuming negotiations with North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons. Xi expressed willingness to expand cooperation and address shared challenges.
Recently, Xi made other spontaneous remarks caught on microphone, including discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about organ transplants and the potential for humans to live up to 150 years, during a military parade in Beijing back in September.
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