Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to North Korea from October 9 to 11 has ignited heated debate online, with many observers accusing him of displaying a “loss of national dignity.” His meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was widely described as a “humiliating encounter.”
During the talks, Li sat on one side of a long conference table accompanied by his delegation, while Kim sat alone on the opposite side with only an interpreter. The arrangement, reminiscent of a supreme leader receiving subordinates’ reports, sharply contrasted with Kim’s previous meetings with Russian and Vietnamese visitors, where both sides were seated with their full teams. Commentators also noted that Li appeared nervous and deferential in front of Kim.
A video clip circulating online purportedly shows Li bidding farewell to Kim. In the footage, Kim kept his hands in his pockets and repeatedly turned away to speak with aides, offering only a brief nod at the end. Kim maintained a stern expression throughout, while Li stood with his arms at his sides, seemingly waiting for instructions. As his motorcade departed, Li waved repeatedly from his car, but Kim responded with just a single wave before turning away.
The footage drew widespread ridicule on Chinese social media. Some netizens wrote, “He’s still a national premier – how could he appear so submissive before a dictator? This is the most humiliating moment for a Chinese premier since the founding of the PRC.” Others mocked, “A great-power premier acting like a servant before a beggar boss.”
Some commentators, however, suggested that Li’s behavior was deliberate. They argued that Chinese diplomatic interactions are typically choreographed in advance, and Li must have known about the one-sided setup beforehand. His compliance reflected a calculated act of self-preservation. As Kim had recently reviewed troops alongside Xi Jinping and Putin, the hierarchy was clear: Xi and Kim were the masters, while Li was merely the servant – even when he was abroad. Sitting as an equal beside Kim would instead get Li Qiang into big trouble.
Sources:
1. Epoch Times, October 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/13/n14614984.htm
2. Epoch Times, October 15, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/15/n14616527.htm
3. Pincong
https://pincong.rocks/article/88792