Why Is This Recent Photo Of Xi Jinping Missing From Chinese Social Media?

Xi Jinping’s public image in China is carefully curated to convey authority. (News18 Hindi)

In a rare moment, apart from his usual composed demeanour, Chinese President Xi Jinping was recently photographed laughing heartily during a recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, but the images are notably absent from Chinese media and social platforms.

The photographs, released by the White House, were taken during the US-China summit held in Busan, South Korea. They depict a visibly relaxed Xi, seated across from Trump in a cordial exchange. In one widely discussed image, Xi is seen breaking into laughter after Trump reportedly showed him a piece of paper. While the contents of the paper remain unknown, Xi’s rare laughter has generated global attention.

Curiously, the photographs have not appeared on China’s tightly regulated social media platforms such as Weibo or on state-controlled news outlets. Observers note that Xi’s public image within China is carefully curated to convey gravitas and authority. Instances of the Chinese leader smiling or engaging informally are seldom allowed to circulate, as China’s propaganda machinery maintains strict control over portrayals of top officials.

Xi’s rare laughter comes in contrast to his typically stern public appearances, whether presiding over sessions of the National People’s Congress or attending military parades in Mao-style suits, exuding a leader’s stoic resolve. However, during the Busan summit, he appeared noticeably at ease.

A similar light-hearted moment was reported when Xi met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, exchanging gifts and jokingly remarking, “You can check if there’s any backdoor in the phone,” an apparent reference to the recurring Western allegations of Chinese cyber espionage. The quip drew laughter from those present, offering another glimpse into a seldom-seen, humourous side of China’s most powerful leader in decades.

Political analysts say that Xi’s image is so meticulously managed that even subtle changes in his appearance, from hairstyle to expression, are scrutinised for possible political meaning. This explains why candid, smiling photographs of the Chinese president are rarely seen on social media platforms.

Since assuming power in 2012, Xi has consolidated his position as China’s most dominant leader since Mao Zedong. His political philosophy, “Xi Jinping Thought”, was enshrined into the country’s constitution in 2017 and later integrated into school curricula, ensuring his enduring influence over China’s governance and ideology.

Ironically, Xi’s attempts to manage his image have previously sparked unintended consequences online. During his 2013 US visit, netizens compared his appearance to the fictional character “Winnie the Pooh”, prompting authorities to ban the character and related imagery in China.