Part 6/15:
Another conspicuous highlight was Xi Jinping’s brief and tense meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida. The meeting lasted only approximately thirty minutes—a surprisingly short duration for such high-stakes diplomacy. The physical distance, lack of smiles, and minimal body language far starkly contrasted with Xi’s earlier, more cordial exchange with Trump.
Japanese media dubbed this exchange a “dialogue of ice and fire,” emphasizing the emotional and diplomatic coldness. Both leaders maintained distance, with Xi not even smiling at all—a stark departure from the more cheerful, friendly engagement he had with Trump just days prior. This stark contrast reflected shifting regional power dynamics and the deteriorating relationship between China and Japan.