National leaders don't crack jokes in public for mere entertainment—they do it to send messages. And over this past weekend, foreign media caught President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung doing exactly that, joking about a certain superpower's use of technology to intrude into people’s privacy.
However, the American president wasn't laughing. In a CBS interview on Sunday, Trump was asked whether the US would "intervene" if Beijing launched a military attack on Taiwan. His response dripped with anger: "You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that."
Trump then went further, claiming that “He (referring to Xi) has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president’, because they know the consequences." Analysts reckon that because Taiwan reunification would spark US-China tensions, both leaders at the Busan summit seemingly dodged the issue on purpose, focusing instead on topics like the trade war.
The "Consequences" Trump Doesn't Want to Face
Here's another joke from a head of state—and the punchline is "consequences." What consequences exactly? China's reunification cause doesn't require American permission.
Fact number one: The Taiwan question involves the moral principles established after World War II reconstruction. As Article 2(4) of the UN Charter clearly states, "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." If the United States publicly refuses to acknowledge this, the consequences would be more than Trump can handle.
Fact number two: China is now strong enough to fend off any economic or technological containment launched by the US and the West. Consequences? Look at Russia—no need to elaborate further.
And lets not forget: there was once an unrealistic fantasy that exaggerated Trump's "art of the deal," believing he could strike a "great deal" with China, using Taiwan as a bargaining chip to extract maximum benefits for America. For God’s sake—is China's sovereignty something to be negotiated or traded? The British Iron Lady learned her lesson from China; those consequences can be quite severe indeed!
Those "China experts" at home and abroad might find some comfort in the fact that Trump appears to have made major moves on the eve of his meeting with President Xi—when deals don't work, resort to hardball tactics. The White House has called for resuming nuclear testing, which would undoubtedly trigger nuclear weapons competition among major powers, adding chaos and trouble to the international community.
Trump announced last Thursday: "Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately." Some say Trump's "nuclear order" was triggered by Russia's recent successful test-firing of a cruise missile with nuclear strike capability, but the US posture simultaneously targeting China is quite obvious. Why? In today's world, only three superpowers exist, and only China, the US, and Russia can play the nuclear missile game.
Xi's Phone Gift: A Public Mockery
The core of President Xi Jinping's joke this time was two Chinese-made phones presented to Lee Jae-myung—one for him and one for his wife. Both phones are manufactured by Xiaomi, and the significance lies in the fact that Xiaomi uses display screens produced in South Korea. The New York Times reported that Lee picked up one of the unopened phones and examined it carefully, then asked: "How secure is this phone?"
Xi laughed and said: "You can check if there’s a backdoor." He was referring to pre-installed software that allows third parties to monitor phones. Lee burst out laughing and even clapped his hands, appearing quite delighted.
What's the point of this joke? China's supreme leader publicly mocked the United States without mercy. What deeper meaning lies within? Simple: besides puncturing the myth of America, it openly treats the US as a paper tiger.
President Trump, please be cautious in your words and actions. China loves peace, but at the same time cannot be provoked. If the line is crossed, the situation will be difficult to handle.
Deep Blue
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