BODY language experts have revealed who came out on top between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un at China’s military parade.
One took up the role of “daddy” and held ultimate power over his fellow despots while another appeared to act completely out of character.
Xi Jinping was the clear leader of the ‘Axis of Evil’ at his military parade in Beijing, body language experts agreedAP
ReutersPutin and Kim squabbled as soon as they left ‘daddy’ Xi, one body language expert said[/caption]
ReutersXi gently placed his hand on Kim’s back – a clear signifier of power – as they pair held ‘beaming eye contact’[/caption]
Handshakes, a pat on the back and a dispute over a luxury limousine all helped to create some clear clues into who really controls this new world order.
Body language specialist Darren Stanton described the huge 70-minute event in Beijing as a “very well stage-managed” affair put on by Xi.
He told The Sun: “It was all about the assertion of power, the presentation of power, by the Chinese President.”
Fellow expert Judi James said it was clear who was in charge out of the “political power throuple”.
She told The Sun: “As host and on home turf, the ultimate power rituals here are of course all Xi’s.
“As he walks out onto the balcony to greet the crowds Putin and Kim Jong Un flank him on either side, albeit with a spatial gap and walking very slightly behind the Chinese leader.
“In politics, the one doing the talking and gesticulating while the others turn and listen is seen as looking like the natural leader.”
Xi made several powerful gestures towards his “Axis of Evil” pals as all three took centre stage ahead of the parade.
Darren explained: “When Putin and Kim Jong-un were coming up the stairs, there’s something very significant about where people are positioned and where people are in relation to other war leaders.
“You notice Xi was in the center, but he was elevated forward, so he was kind of in front of Kim and Putin.”
Judi was also impressed with how Xi gently exuded his power onto both men in a calm and controlled manner.
One of his main ways was through his handshakes.
When he shook Kim’s hand it was “emphatically and especially warm” as the pair shared an embrace in front of the world.
But Xi made sure he was in control of the greeting by where he positioned his hands.
Judi explained: “As their hands join Xi adds his left hand to the top of the shake in a lidding gesture to create a double handed clasp – a gesture that implies bonding and a desire to show closeness.
Kim responded with “beaming eye contact registering undivided attention”.
Xi then lightly patted his bicep before ushering him away towards his wife as he ended the meeting on his own terms.
The interaction with Putin had a very similar feel to it.
APAt one point Putin cocked his thumb as a sign of genuine pleasure[/caption]
AFPXi stood much taller and slightly ahead of both of his fellow despots showing he had all the power[/caption]
AlamyXi held a strong handshake with all who he met at the parade – including Kim and Putin – as he held a strong two handed clasp[/caption]
The routine shake was over quickly – mainly due it it being the third time the pair have met this week – but as Putin pulled away Xi managed to perform a last minute power play.
Judi said: “As Putin walks away there is a last-minute upgrade as Xi pats him on the back in a paternal-looking gesture as he ushers him towards the photographers.
“From an optics point of view, this made Xi the strongest, most dominant personality within the dynamic of the three of them.”
Putin was also surprisingly happy with playing the role of Xi’s jovial guest, both experts agreed.
He shied away from any grand gestures and spent most of the initial part of the ceremony smiling away at himself.
Judi noticed: “Putin walks past troops alongside Kim Jong-Un with his cocked thumb as a sign of genuine pleasure.
“His smile during this appearance is so intense it creates a double cheek rounding effect with two apple-cheek bulges on either side of his face.”
Both body language experts did agree that the trio truly appeared to be happy in each other’s company – a potentially worrying sign for the West.
Judi said for the most part all three “displayed bonds of warmth and friendship and strength”.
It was all about the assertion of power, the presentation of power, by the Chinese President
Darren Stanton
Darren was equally as impressed by Kim and Vlad’s rather placid reactions as they stood behind a triumphant Xi.
He noted: “Non-verbally, we actually saw the three men interact really well, because very often you’ll get what we’ll call micro-expressions in other political meetings.
“For example, Trump flashes contempt quite a lot, which is what we call a bilateral smile when we’re not very happy.
“But I didn’t notice anything like that at all, which was quite interesting.
“I would have expected to have seen Kim Jong-un especially demonstrate some power gestures.
“But although we didn’t see specific submissive gestures, we didn’t see any of the other two men challenge the authority.”
But once Putin and Kim left the parade and headed to a bilateral meeting their dynamic quickly shifted.
ANALYSIS: Godfather Xi has created a new global mafia to fight the West
By Henry Holloway, Deputy Foreign Editor
STOMPING boots, massive new missiles, and rumbling tanks — China’s biggest-ever military parade was a perfectly choreographed piece of pantomime.
And while the visuals, with waving red flags and shouting soldiers, delighted the ragtag group of world leaders assembled, its main target audience was the West.
You don’t have to listen too hard to hear what Xi was saying — it was clear and simple: “I’m the boss now.”
With his two guests of honour being Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, Xi towered over them like a mob boss being paid a handsome tribute by his favourite capos.
Smiling as both tubby tyrant Kim and diminutive despot Vlad fawned over him, Xi sits firmly on top as the Godfather of this new global mafia.
Both Russia and North Korea are now beholden to China.
Kim’s beggar kingdom has always been dependent on the grace of Beijing, and with Moscow now locked in a war it can’t win in Ukraine, it needs China more than ever.
Xi clearly has no problem hosting pariahs, also welcoming Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, along with a hodgepodge of others with axes to grind against the West.
Donald Trump’s spiky Truth Social post during the parade — reminding China what it owes to the West — clearly shows the monster display may have already rattled some in Washington, D.C.
China’s military is growing at an alarming rate — and as Xi brings together his new syndicate of allies, the West has to sit up, take notice, and take action.
It feels like it will only be a matter of time until Xi decides it is time to truly test the West.
And it could be with the breakaway island of Taiwan that he chooses to make his first move.
The two were making their way down some steps towards a limousine which was waiting to whisk both away.
Rather unusually for the health conscious duo, they had planned to both travel together in the back seat.
As they neared the open car door they both gestured at one another telling the other to get in first.
This puzzling dispute continued on for some time.
It was almost like daddy’s not here, so we’ll have our little opportunity to show off our power and our confidence
Darren Stanton
Darren says it was one of the only times a genuine dispute over power was on show – and it took place in the absence of Xi.
He said: “There was a little bit of a power play there, a little bit of an aptitude in terms of who’s going in first.
“It was almost like daddy’s not here, so we’ll have our little opportunity to show off our power and our confidence.”
In the end, Putin relented as Kim made his way round the back of the car to get in on the opposite side.
Judi added: “It’s a small moment but one that experts on making deals and debates would pick apart as it shows Kim refusing to budge
and Putin backing down.”
EPAPutin was happy to allow Xi to lead the parade[/caption]
AFPXi went around in an open top limousine after greeting Putin and Kim[/caption]
AlamyBoth body language vexperts did agree that the trio truly appeared to be happy in each other’s company – a potentially worrying sign for the West[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
