Humor serves as a powerful communication tool in diplomatic relations. A well-timed joke can bridge gaps and address sensitive issues with wit, particularly in American politics. Foreign leaders visiting the U.S. often study humor and prepare jokes in advance.
During his state visit to the U.S. in April, King Charles III showcased his refined British humor. At a White House state dinner, he joked, "Without us, you would be speaking French," eliciting laughter from President Donald Trump. This quip referenced the colonial struggles between Britain and France in North America before the American Revolutionary War.
This joke can also be seen as a response to a comment made by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier that January, where he remarked to European allies, "Without American help in World War II, you would be speaking German and a bit of Japanese now." Charles cleverly recalled Trump's joke months later with his own British wit.
Previous Chinese leaders visiting the U.S. have also employed humor, but former Premier Zhu Rongji's remarks remain particularly memorable. During his visit in April 1999 for World Trade Organization (WTO) accession negotiations, he bought two American hats in a Denver store and quipped at a dinner hosted by the Colorado governor, "I bought these to help reduce the U.S.-China trade deficit." When attendees laughed, he added, "But the governor paid for them." This humorous take on a sensitive issue resonated well. The Washington Post noted last month in an obituary for Zhu that he was known for his candid speech and cynical humor.
So, what about Xi Jinping's sense of humor? An article titled 'Xi Jinping's Sense of Humor' was published on the Chinese Communist Party's official website in June 2018. It began with the assertion that 'humor is one of the elements that showcase a leader's charm' and included 12 anecdotes about Xi's humor.
During a visit to the Maldives in September 2014, Xi joked, "You should eat less instant noodles and more local seafood," subtly criticizing the behavior of Chinese tourists abroad. In December of the same year, while addressing the Australian Parliament, he quipped, "I’ve visited all the states in Australia; do you give out certificates?" In July 2014, during a visit to Argentina, he received a jersey from the mayor of Buenos Aires featuring the number 10 from a local soccer team and humorously asked, "What’s the transfer fee?" These light-hearted comments helped him connect with locals through familiar topics like food, travel, and soccer.
One particularly memorable moment for Koreans occurred during the Korea-China summit last November. After receiving a Xiaomi smartphone as a gift from President Lee Jae-myung, Xi responded to a question about its security by suggesting, "You might want to check if there’s a backdoor." This exchange allowed both leaders to navigate the sensitive issue of security in Chinese-made smartphones with humor.
Xi is scheduled to make a state visit to the U.S. around September 24. The agenda for this U.S.-China summit is particularly weighty, with pressing issues including tariffs, trade deficits, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, rare earth elements, U.S. investments, and the Taiwan issue.
Humor may be most needed when tensions are at their highest. It will be intriguing to see what 'Chinese humor' Xi Jinping brings to the table when he meets with President Trump.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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