Russian President Vladimir Putin and Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, seemed to have a nice time at the official leaders’ dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Beijing.
The two seemed to chat politely before something interesting happened.
“Then Mr. Putin, a former Soviet spymaster who rides horses bare-chested, made his move,” as described by The New York Times. “He whipped a tan coat from beneath the table and slipped it over Ms. Peng’s shoulders as she stood up.”
And here’s how Didi Tang of Associated Press described the scene: “It was a warm gesture on a chilly night when Vladimir Putin wrapped a shawl around the wife of Xi Jinping while the Chinese president chatted with Barack Obama. The only problem: Putin came off looking gallant, the Chinese summit host gauche and inattentive.”
Times Editor Rick Gladstone said that the moment looked “more like Putin chivalrous charm, not an inappropriate pass at Chinese host’s wife, but still pretty wild.”
You can see the scene play out at around 0:32 on CCTV footage that Chinese censors did their best to scrub from the web:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLJKVETVF6Q#t=32
An interesting note is that this is not the first time Putin has charmed a powerful woman in this way:
[tweet https://twitter.com/niktwick/status/532109147677130752 align=center]Featured image: REUTERS/Stringer
2015 Chinese Dream Calendar comes true! 12 whole months of Xi Jinping and his wife waving
What everyday object has now been declared illegal to bring onto the Chinese mainland?
Chinese Disney fans worry that an upcoming Pixar short film will be banned from theaters
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Muscly Japanese men fill stock photo site with hilarious poses in unusual settings
How to get your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat crepe challenge in Japan
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply