Dissatisfaction Over Leak of Private Talks to Canadian Media
Trudeau Cuts Off Speaker with Stern Expression
BBC: "Rare Candid Moment from Xi, Usually Showing Only a Polished Image"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyun-jung] Chinese President Xi Jinping was openly displeased and confronted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the last day of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit. The incident occurred because Xi was unhappy that the Canadian media reported on the contents of a prior private meeting between the two countries. Major international media outlets have shown interest in the unusual display of emotion by President Xi at an international meeting typically characterized by customary smiles and handshakes.
According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 17th, during the banquet on the final day of the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia, President Xi expressed irritation during a brief conversation with Prime Minister Trudeau. The previously unscheduled bilateral meeting between the two leaders lasted about 10 minutes on the 15th. Xi protested that "the Canadian Prime Minister raised 'serious concerns' about allegations that China funded 11 candidates in the 2019 Canadian election," and that the contents of the meeting were immediately published by local media. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not disclose the details of the meeting that day.
At the banquet, President Xi said, "The contents of our conversation were all leaked to the newspapers," adding, "That manner is inappropriate. That is not how dialogue should proceed." He continued, "If there is sincerity, communication should be conducted with mutual respect," and warned, "Otherwise, the outcome is unpredictable."
Prime Minister Trudeau responded, "Canada supports free, open, and frank dialogue," and said, "We will strive to work constructively together, but there will be things we disagree on, and also..." He was cut off by President Xi, who, with a stern expression, said, "Let's first create the conditions," then awkwardly shook hands and turned away.
This approximately 40-second scene was captured by media cameras on site and quickly spread. SCMP reported, "In a summit usually marked by customary friendly handshakes and smiles, President Xi rarely expressed displeasure." The British BBC reported, "A 'rare candid moment' of President Xi, carefully curated and released by state media, was captured."
Following this exchange, Prime Minister Trudeau told the media, "Not all conversations will be easy," and expressed, "I think it is important for leaders to understand the work they do on behalf of Canadians, citizens of a democratic country." He further explained, "Sometimes, even when discussing sensitive topics, we will not hesitate to be transparent with Canadians."
Randolph Mank, who served three times as Canada's ambassador abroad, told SCMP, "President Xi is not accustomed to being challenged and likely felt uncomfortable," but emphasized, "That is why international summits are important." He added, "Making the results of bilateral talks public is 'the perfect summit.'"
Recently, China and Canada have been experiencing their worst cooling period after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's CEO, at the request of the U.S. government, and China subsequently detained Canadians on charges including drug manufacturing and espionage. Last week, Canadian Foreign Minister M?lanie Joly announced that Canada would soon unveil an Indo-Pacific strategy focused on China, calling China an "increasingly destructive global power." She emphasized that Canada would challenge China when necessary and also cooperate.
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