Phil Cunningham Profile picture
Nov 20 8 tweets 5 min read
They all got played by Xi, except for maybe Trudeau

jinpeili.substack.com/p/cctv-follies…
Japan and US set the tone, followed by...
Brunei, Philippines, Chile and Singapore
The same dynamic was evident in Bali with Guterres and Meloni...
Even the respective hosts, the leaders of Indonesia and Thailand, had to listen to the "Xi are the World" harangue politely.
To veteran observers of the Thai monarchy, it was not expected that the King would gently genuflect for Xi.
(although Xi could be pulling his hand real hard)
When you consider how tamed and domesticated the most powerful men in Asia look while being addressed, pontificated to and dressed down by Xi, Justin Trudeau comes out looking like a rock star:

Upright, egalitarian, forthright, informal and brave.

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More from @jinpeili

Nov 21
CCTV FOLLIES 11/21 Late evening news
Xi doesn't dominate the news today, he's probably sleeping or self-isolating after shaking so many hands at G-20 and APEC, but a day without Xi news at CCTV is like a day without sunshine, so his name dominates the news open anyway. ImageImageImage
The big story is the uptick in Covid cases and the crackdown on those who don't follow orders. ImageImage
Sun Chunlan, CCP's Covid Czarina, is on the scene, hectoring locals to get with the program and do a better job. Image
Read 13 tweets
Nov 20
Anyone who's been in Thailand for a day quickly realizes that Thais express greetings with a "wai."

To extend good will, you don't clap, don't point and tend not to shake hands.

Peng Liyuan picked up on this right away.

Her husband, not so much.
He claps and claps and claps. Image
He continues clapping while Peng Liyuan's birthday cake is cut. Happy 60!

@Rajprasong_News Image
Another round of "wai" greetings are exchanged and Xi is still clapping, hands somewhere around his belly.
What's with Xi and applause?
It is required etiquette when Xi visits troops and civilians in China, and as in North Korea, it can be sustained for an insane amount of time Image
Read 4 tweets
Nov 19
CCTV FOLLIES 11/19 Of Cabbages and Kings

Any doubts that Xi was anything less than guest extraordinaire at APEC were dispelled when he was granted a palace audience.

When two men--who are above criticism by law on the pain of prison--finally meet, there's not much to say. ImageImageImageImage
The Thai King waits in the ready for the arrival of the icy Emperor from the Celestial Kingdom up north. Image
His most lofty imperial highness arrives... Image
Read 22 tweets
Nov 19
CCTV FOLLIES 11/18 TALE OF TWO CITIES:

Same city, same time

ELITE BANGKOK as seen by CCTV
STREET BANGKOK as seen by Thai TV and social media
APEC elite wining, dining and enjoying gentile entertainment while protected by massive coercive police force
"Down with APEC"... "Smash capitalism"
Read 17 tweets
Nov 18
CCTV FOLLIES 11/18 APEC gone Amok

Xi stirs up Bangkok
China dominates rote proceedings
Hailing new emperor in land of kings
Kowtows, clasped hands
Cheers for 20th congress, Belt and Road and recitation of "One China" Policy

Waiting for Xi, Thai leader gets no respect
Thai Prime Minister Prayut went to the airport and waited in hot sun to greet Xi with a polite bow.

Protocol was such that only the visiting "Emperor and Empress" went unmasked.

Locals and social subordinates, such as Thai Prime Minister and APEC host Prayut, had to mask up.
Xi wasn't too keen on shaking Prayut's hand either.

Not as iconic as John Foster Dulles refusing the outstretched hand of Zhou Enlai in 1954, but it must sting nonetheless.
Read 17 tweets
Nov 18
Xi might have been rude to Trudeau, but Trudeau is looking good>

The only leader who had the guts to confront Xi face to face.

The others, from Biden to Lee to Kishida and to Marcos Jr. all look like terror-stricken pupils getting lectured by the scariest teacher in school. Image
Biden being instructed by Xi Image
Marcos Jr is all ears... Image
Read 5 tweets

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