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Obama Chews Gum, Chinese Internet Goes Ballistic
U.S. President Barack Obama (R), in traditional Chinese-style outfit, is greeted by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, as he arrives at Beijing National Aquatics Center, or the Water Cube, for the APEC Welcome Banquet, in Beijing, November 10, 2014. He was chewing gum.
Reuters
President Barack Obama has gone to some lengths to make nice with China as the Asian nation hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, its most star-studded power conclave since the Olympics.
But he didn’t count on the gum haters.
As the organizers wrapped up the business end of the conference in Beijing on Monday and prepared to kick off its political leg, they had to ferry dozens of leaders and their spouses from a convention center to the Water Cube, the Beijing Olympic swimming venue that was set up to host an APEC dinner for the politicians.
That’s where Obama’s image got all gummed up. First, he didn’t take a ride in one of the official Hongqi cars that China is marketing as a luxury marque and provided especially for the dignitaries, choosing instead to hop on a U.S. State Department limousine.
Second – even worse for some Chinese – he was chewing gum.
This didn’t please many among China’s microblogging commentariat, who were closely watching the live proceedings. “This is in the American manner and humor, but in traditional Chinese culture, it is immature and not serious behavior!” one blogger thundered.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R), in traditional Chinese-style outfit, is greeted by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, as he arrives at Beijing National Aquatics Center, or the Water Cube, for the APEC Welcome Banquet, in Beijing, November 10, 2014. He was chewing gum.
Reuters
President Barack Obama has gone to some lengths to make nice with China as the Asian nation hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, its most star-studded power conclave since the Olympics.
But he didn’t count on the gum haters.
As the organizers wrapped up the business end of the conference in Beijing on Monday and prepared to kick off its political leg, they had to ferry dozens of leaders and their spouses from a convention center to the Water Cube, the Beijing Olympic swimming venue that was set up to host an APEC dinner for the politicians.
That’s where Obama’s image got all gummed up. First, he didn’t take a ride in one of the official Hongqi cars that China is marketing as a luxury marque and provided especially for the dignitaries, choosing instead to hop on a U.S. State Department limousine.
Second – even worse for some Chinese – he was chewing gum.
This didn’t please many among China’s microblogging commentariat, who were closely watching the live proceedings. “This is in the American manner and humor, but in traditional Chinese culture, it is immature and not serious behavior!” one blogger thundered.