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.
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.
The big story is the uptick in Covid cases and the crackdown on those who don't follow orders.
Sun Chunlan, CCP's Covid Czarina, is on the scene, hectoring locals to get with the program and do a better job.
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
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.