Xi Gifts Xiaomi Phones to South Korean Leaders

During Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Korea — his first in 11 years and held on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju — he presented President Lee Jae‑myung and the first lady with two high‑end Xiaomi smartphones. When Lee asked whether the devices’ communications were secure, Xi joked, “You should check if there’s a backdoor,” a quip that drew applause and went viral. Officials said the phones were fitted with Korean‑made displays as the leaders inspected them on camera. The exchange underscored warming personal chemistry between the leaders while highlighting lingering international anxieties about Chinese technology and potential espionage, recalling past U.S. measures against Chinese vendors.