Lee Jae Myung’s Xi Jinping Selfie: The Backdoor Joke, The Xiaomi Phone, and a Strategic Alliance

'Shot of lifetime': S Korea's Lee takes selfie with Xi months after 'backdoor' phone joke

In the world of high-stakes diplomacy, where every word and gesture is parsed for hidden meaning, a simple selfie has captured the world’s attention. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung recently shared a photo on social media, beaming alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and their wives, all captured on a sleek Xiaomi smartphone. But this wasn’t just any phone—it was a gift from Xi himself, and its presence is loaded with a now-famous piece of lighthearted banter that has turned into a significant political symbol.

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The ‘Shot of a Lifetime’

The photo, described by Lee as the “shot of a lifetime,” was taken during his state visit to Beijing in January 2026. In his post, Lee wrote, “A selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife, taken with the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju,” expressing his gratitude for the moment . This visit, his first state trip of the year, was a clear signal from Seoul of its intent to prioritize and revitalize its relationship with its giant neighbor . The casual, friendly nature of the image stands in stark contrast to the often-tense geopolitical climate in the region, offering a glimpse of a more personal rapport between the two leaders.

Decoding the Xiaomi ‘Backdoor’ Joke

The real intrigue, however, lies in the backstory of the phone. This very Xiaomi device was a gift from President Xi to President Lee just two months prior, on the sidelines of the APEC summit in November 2025 . During that exchange, a now-viral joke was born. When Lee reportedly asked about the phone’s security, Xi, in a moment of wry humor, quipped, “You should check if there’s a backdoor” .

This seemingly offhand remark is a masterclass in diplomatic messaging. It directly addresses the elephant in the room: the long-standing international concerns, primarily led by the United States, about potential security vulnerabilities or state-sponsored surveillance capabilities in Chinese technology hardware, including brands like Huawei and Xiaomi . By making the joke himself, Xi simultaneously acknowledges the global suspicion while deftly disarming it through self-deprecation and humor. It’s a way of saying, “We know what you’re thinking, but don’t take it so seriously.”

More Than Just a Photo: The Agenda Behind Lee Jae Myung’s Beijing Visit

The selfie and the phone are merely the public face of a much deeper strategic engagement. President Lee’s trip to Beijing was a carefully orchestrated mission with concrete goals. According to official statements, the four-day state visit was explicitly “aimed at rebooting economic and cultural ties” between the two nations .

Key agenda items for the South Korean delegation included:

  • Boosting Trade and Investment: Seeking new avenues for economic cooperation in a post-pandemic world.
  • Regional Security Coordination: Discussing the persistent threat from North Korea and the importance of stability on the Korean peninsula .
  • Diplomatic Flexibility: Demonstrating Seoul’s commitment to a multi-faceted foreign policy that isn’t solely dependent on its alliance with the United States .

By choosing China as his first state visit destination of 2026, Lee sent a powerful message about the importance South Korea places on this bilateral relationship . The warm, personal imagery of the selfie serves as a public relations tool to foster goodwill from both domestic and Chinese audiences, smoothing the path for these more complex negotiations.

Should You Worry About Your Xiaomi Phone?

The “backdoor” joke has inevitably sparked renewed public curiosity about Xiaomi’s security. While the term “backdoor” is often used in political rhetoric, actual security research has found vulnerabilities in Xiaomi devices in the past. For instance, a 2024 report detailed the discovery of “20 dangerous vulnerabilities” in various Xiaomi applications , and a 2019 finding revealed a flaw in a preinstalled app that could be exploited .

However, it’s crucial to maintain perspective. Xiaomi, like all major tech manufacturers, operates a Security Response Center to address such issues . Security experts generally agree that “you aren’t more likely to get a virus or malware on a Xiaomi phone simply because it’s a cheaper brand” . The risk from any smartphone often stems more from user behavior (like downloading untrusted apps) than from a deliberate, state-planted backdoor. The joke, therefore, is more a commentary on geopolitical distrust than a reflection of everyday user risk.

The Bigger Picture: A Strategic Handshake in a Digital Age

This entire episode—the gift, the joke, the selfie—exemplifies how modern diplomacy has evolved. Personal social media accounts are now official channels for statecraft, and a viral photo can be as important as a formal communiqué. The Lee Jae Myung Xi Jinping selfie is a perfect case study in soft power, using a moment of human connection to build bridges over a landscape of technical and political complexity.

It’s a reminder that even in an age of cyber warfare and great power competition, personal relationships and a shared sense of humor can be powerful diplomatic tools. The photo is not just a memento; it’s a carefully curated piece of political theater designed to signal a thaw and a desire for cooperation between two of Asia’s most important economies.

Conclusion

What appears on the surface to be a simple, friendly selfie is in fact a multi-layered diplomatic event. The Lee Jae Myung Xi Jinping selfie, taken on the very Xiaomi phone from their famous “backdoor” exchange, is a potent symbol of an attempt to reset and strengthen South Korea-China relations. It blends personal rapport with strategic intent, using humor to navigate sensitive security concerns and presenting a united front of friendship to the world. In the complex chess game of international politics, this single image may prove to be a far more significant move than it first appears.

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