During President Trump's Beijing visit, liberal-minded Chinese citizens flocked to Threads and other banned platforms to mock Xi Jinping and his leadership style. The summit offered rare footage of the Chinese leader from angles not typically shown by state media, sparking humor and criticism from users who fear government retribution. These jokes serve as an outlet for opinions that cannot be expressed within China's tightly controlled internet environment.

Chinese social media users mocked Xi's predictable appearance and scripted language, including his use of phrases like 'great changes unseen in a century' that students memorize for exams under Xi Jinping Thought. Some compared the orchestrated welcome ceremony with children waving flags to North Korean propaganda and China's Mao era, questioning whether China was moving backward in terms of openness and political expression.

The online commentary highlights how China's political climate affects business operations and foreign relations. When enthusiasm must be choreographed and emotions rehearsed for diplomatic events, it signals an environment that may challenge foreign business leaders accustomed to more direct engagement. This political aesthetic could impact how multinational companies navigate China's complex business landscape, where the line between political compliance and commercial success remains blurred.