Chinese Official Known for "Hands-in-Pockets" at Japan Talks Draws Attention with Bright Smile at China-Korea Summit

Liu Jinsong, Director of Asian Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, Draws Attention with Changed Expressions
Chinese Media: "A Scene Showing China's Hospitality Toward Guests"

As scenes from the summit between President Lee Jaemyung, currently on a state visit to China, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were released, attention has also focused on the changing expressions of Liu Jinsong, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was captured in the background of the meeting. Unlike his stern demeanor during diplomatic talks with Japan last year, Liu was seen with a bright expression at this latest China-Korea summit.

The appearance of Liu Jinsong, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when he met with a senior Japanese official and his appearance at the recent China-Korea summit. Chinese Weibo

On November 18 last year, during heightened tensions between China and Japan, Liu drew controversy and various interpretations when images were released showing him standing with both hands in his pockets, staring at his counterpart after diplomatic talks with Japan.

Liu, who became known in the media for this so-called "hands-in-pockets" moment, reappeared about two months later at the China-Korea summit held in Beijing on January 5. This time, photos and videos from the summit showed him consistently smiling and displaying a much softer demeanor throughout the event.

Notably, even when President Lee took a selfie with President Xi using a Xiaomi smartphone he had received as a gift from Xi, Liu could be seen smiling brightly from one side of the frame. Analysts suggest that this scene symbolically reflects the current atmosphere in China-Korea relations.

Chinese and Korean leaders' 'selfie' captured Liu Jinsong, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, behind. President Lee Jae-myung exits.

China-Japan relations have remained tense since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted at possible intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency last year. In contrast, China-Korea relations are seen as solidifying a path toward normalization through continued exchanges between the two leaders. Some interpret Liu's contrasting expressions as a reflection of these differing diplomatic environments.

Chinese local media outlets such as Observer Network noted, "Liu was smiling throughout the summit," and described it as "a scene showing how China treats friends and welcomes guests." Some Chinese netizens reportedly commented, "When friends come, we serve good liquor; when wolves come..."

The omitted part of this saying is, "what awaits them is a hunting rifle," which is interpreted as an expression in Chinese diplomatic discourse, indicating that China's approach varies depending on the counterpart.

Previously, Liu drew attention when footage of his meeting with Masaaki Kanai, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who visited China in November last year, spread through Chinese state-affiliated social media channels. The contrast between Liu's stern expression and Kanai's seemingly bowed head led some Japanese media to analyze that China was staging the scene to emphasize its diplomatic superiority.