Xi Jinping only speaks once throughout the entire exchange with Trump

 Direct translation

Photos of the handshake between Trump and Xi Jinping have surfaced online. Xi only managed to utter one sentence throughout the entire exchange

Editor : Shi Fang / Source : NTD Television / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1030/2298462.html / Image : On October 30, 2025, the "Trump-Xi meeting" was held at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea. President Trump chatted and laughed, while Xi Jinping remained silent. (Screenshot from video)

On 30 October 2025, the "Trump-Xi meeting" was held at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea. US President Donald Trump and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping shook hands again after six years. Trump appeared relaxed and talkative, while Xi remained almost completely silent. Netizens mocked Xi, saying, "How could he answer without a notebook?!"

According to media videos, Trump and Xi held a brief meeting at Gimhae Air Base around noon that day. This was their first meeting since Trump returned to the White House.

Before the meeting, Trump and Xi posed for photos. Trump was relaxed and talkative, while Xi appeared somewhat reserved, with a somber expression, unnatural movements, and barely daring to speak. After shaking hands, Xi said a polite "It's a pleasure to see you again" to Trump, but avoided direct eye contact, blinking and looking away.

Trump confidently told reporters, "Our meeting will definitely be a success, without a doubt." He also jokingly called Xi a "tough negotiator," adding, "That's not good!" and patted Xi on the back. Xi remained silent and offered no response.

U.S.-based writer Cao Changqing commented on the X platform: "Trump said the talks would definitely succeed, without a doubt. But Xi Jinping barely said a word. In comparison, the 79-year-old Trump seemed much more energetic (Xi Jinping is 72)."

At the meeting, a reporter asked a question about Taiwan in Chinese but Xi Jinping did not answer.

Xi Jinping's performance in this meeting with Trump sparked heated discussions online, with many mocking him: "Xi Jinping can't speak without his little notebook."

"How can he answer without a little notebook! Haha!"

"He was thinking, 'Don't make things difficult for me. I didn't bring my little notebook. I really don't know what to say. Sigh, this is so difficult!'

"Dumb and clumsy... Sigh, so embarrassing."

"Clearly, Xi Jinping is a tough guy at home, but he becomes timid and afraid to be arrogant when he goes out. This is the characteristic of a primary school student."

"I saw them sitting together..." "It's ridiculous, like chickens and rabbits in the same cage. What's the point of arguing between a democratic country and a dictatorship?"

Another netizen commented: "Xi Jinping looks very unhappy. The internal strife is fierce, and now he's being suppressed by Trump. He feels helpless and resentful, but has no choice but to accept reality."

Before the Xi-Trump meeting, the 20th CPC Central Committee's Fourth Plenary Session concluded in Beijing on October 23. At this meeting, nine generals appointed by Xi were expelled from the military and the Party, including He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Miao Hua, Director of the Political Department of the Central Military Commission. At the same time, Zhang Shengmin, Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission, was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Zhang Shengmin is alleged to be a member of Zhang Youxia's faction.

There is widespread discussion that Xi Jinping's military power has been greatly weakened after the Fourth Plenary Session, and the internal power struggle in Zhongnanhai will intensify.