Chinese netizens mock G7 photo
By Liu Caiyu Source:Global Times Published: 2018/6/11
Chinese netizens are mocking this photo released by the office of Angela Merkel of the G7 summit in Canada. Photo:IC
Chinese netizens have mocked the "dramatic" G7 photos of world leaders by comparing them with the harmonious photos of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Several versions of the G7 photo have been posted online.
There's the French, Italian and US version, an oil painting and a "Last Supper" version.
The photo was first posted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office on Instagram on Saturday when the Group of Seven Summit brought together leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, French President
Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The first G7 photo that went viral online shows Merkel standing along with other world leaders, with both of her hands on top of a narrow desk while staring at a seated Trump with crossed arms and a smirk on his face.
"Ordinary Chinese don't care about G7 but the photo triggered interest among Chinese netizens," Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
"The photo presents an unequal and antagonistic G7 group. It's complicated. Each leader shows a distinct personality - Germany challenging the US, and Abe being submissive to Trump," Liu said.
Chinese netizens also compared the photo with one from the SCO summit showing Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders from SCO member nations smiling.
The WeChat account of People's Daily released the two photos together in one article, titled "Check those pictures! Two summits in one day, two photos, huge difference."
The article has been widely circulated on Chinese internet, receiving over 100,000 views.
WeChat user "Guoyadong" said, "
This is the difference between a responsible power and irresponsible power. A responsible nation is always respected by others."
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