Rare candid moment between Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau sparks G20 memories

Global leadership summits tend to be highly stage-managed events. But sometimes they veer towards the unexpected.

Canada's Justin Trudeau and Xi Jinping speak through a translator

Canada's Justin Trudeau and Xi Jinping have an intense discussion at the G20 summit Source: Supplied

The frank exchange between Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and China's President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit has drawn worldwide headlines.

The not so cosy encounter happened on Wednesday when the duo discussed an alleged leaking of details about their closed-door meeting at the Bali summit the previous day.

"Everything we discussed has been leaked to the paper, that's not appropriate, " Mr Xi told Mr Trudeau through an interpreter.

Mr Trudeau admitted in the public confrontation that the two will disagree on certain matters.

"We will continue to work constructively together," he said.

"In Canada we believe in free and open and frank dialogue," Mr Trudeau said.

Mr Xi's response via the interpreter was: "let's create the conditions first."
Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau have a brief conversation at the G20 summit
Xi Jinping speaks to Justin Trudeau after taking part in a closing session at the G20 summit. Source: AAP
Observers say Xi appeared annoyed with media reports that Mr Trudeau raised serious concerns about alleged espionage and accusations of Chinese interference in Canada's affairs when they met on Tuesday.

A Canadian government official said the leaders also discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea and climate change.

While they did shake hands after the talks, their body languages showed both making a swift exit in different directions.

It was the first talks between Mr Trudeau and the Chinese leader in more than three years.

Thanks for the G20 memories

The confrontation between Mr Trudeau and Mr Xi was not the first time there's been unorthodox moments at G20 summits. Some have involved Australian leaders.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese had a jovial chat with the new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the Indonesian island at G20.
The G20 was established in response to the global economic reversal that emerged from late 2007.
Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull stand and talk. There are other people behind them
The US president Donald Trump (left) listens to then Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull at the G20 summit in Hamburg in 2017. Source: AFP / via Getty Images
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull reportedly had a tour of a private intelligence centre via then US President Donald Trump during the 2017 G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.

But that facility had to be dismantled for sensitivity reasons over concerns outsiders could potentially install listening devices, according to a 2018 book on Mr Trump by veteran journalist Bob Woodward.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott posed with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and a pair of koalas back in 2014.

During a photo opportunity on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brisbane, the men held the marsupials, one of which was named Jimbelung and became a media star.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Russia's Vladimir Putin (AAP)
Former Australian leader Tony Abbott and Russia's President Vladimir Putin holding two koalas Source: AAP
That same year, Mr Abbott said he would "shirt-front" Mr Putin over his lack of cooperation with an inquiry into the downing of flight MH17.

He later softened his language stating he would have a robust discussion with the Russian leader during the then G20 summit.
The exchange between Mr Trudeau and Mr Xi was not the first time world leaders have been caught off guard with the cameras rolling.

In 2008, then-Australian prime Minister Kevin Rudd was filmed in the crowd at NATO talks in Bucharest, Romania, saluting US President George W. Bush.
Kevin Rudd salutes in a crowd of people inside
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd was criticised for saluting then US president George W. Bush at a NATO summit in Romania. Source: Supplied
Mr Rudd was criticised at the time for appearing to show undue deference to Mr Bush, but the then Australian prime minister laughed off his actions as a joke.

Political commentator Bruce Hawker told The Feed often the G20 summits are highly stage-managed.

"I think these G20 style events always lend themselves to a bit of humour," he said.

"When you get hard-headed leaders like Putin or Xi Jinping in less formal attire it can just look slightly ridiculous because that is not the way we envisionage them," he said.

"Justin Trudeau now knows he's offended the leader of the biggest country in the world, so that is no small thing."

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4 min read
Published 17 November 2022 5:36pm
Updated 18 November 2022 12:15pm
By Stephanie Corsetti
Source: SBS

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