Li Qiang Humiliated in North Korea — Protest Failed, Nearly Detained

On October 9, Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a delegation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but the encounter was ridiculed as “a subordinate reporting to his superior,” bringing true humiliation to Xi Jinping. (Illustration by Qing Yu / People News)

[People News Exclusive Dispatch from Pyongyang] Upon learning about the special seating arrangement during the meeting between Kim Jong Un (North Korea’s supreme leader) and Premier Li Qiang’s delegation, the Chinese side became very displeased and demanded that North Korea receive them with the same protocol used for the Vietnamese delegation.

The North Korean side replied that the Vietnamese representative was a Party Chairman, who holds a position higher than a national leader, whereas China’s premier is the second-in-command and therefore cannot enjoy the same protocol as the Vietnamese delegation.

The Chinese side insisted, saying:“We are a major power and have always been a benefactor to North Korea, offering consistent aid. Please ask General Secretary Kim to reconsider.”

Half an hour later, the North Korean side informed the Chinese delegation that:“General Secretary Kim is very angry at your unreasonable request. North Korea, like China, is a nuclear power. Only if Xi Jinping personally comes will he receive the same treatment as Vietnam’s General Secretary. If Li Qiang refuses to accept the arrangement, he will be detained for ‘provoking trouble.’”

The Chinese delegation urgently reported to Beijing. Cai Qi issued instructions to Li Qiang, saying:“You didn’t bring any aid this time, so don’t anger him. If he detains you, we’ll have to pay a huge ransom. Just swallow your pride! Don’t let Boss Xi find out—if he gets angry again, he might faint.”

Li Qiang had no choice but to play along with Kim Jong Un’s performance, pretending to listen attentively. After all, every “supreme leader” puts on a show for his own people.

(Excerpted from Wu Zuolai’s X post)△