Raised eyebrows, tight facial muscles and an uneven smile: how a handshake reveals Xi Jinping’s lack of confidence in CY Leung

A behavioural expert in Cambodia, who has not followed local politics, interprets the exchange between leaders

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Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying interacts with President Xi Jinping in a handshake and a 45-second chat. Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Published: 8:00am, 15 Mar 2017Updated: 8:43am, 15 Mar 2017

The handshake and chat between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in Beijing on Monday may have lasted for only about one minute, but a body language expert has said Xi’s facial expressions gave away his mixed confidence in Leung.

Dr Leow Chee-seng, a professor of non-verbal communication and human behaviour at the IIC University of Technology in Cambodia, was analysing footage of the exchanges between mainland and Hong Kong leaders after Leung was elevated to the post of vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Leung was appointed on the last day of the annual meeting of the nation’s top advisory body on Monday.

A breakdown of the micro expressions of President Xi Jinping during his exchange with Leung Chun-ying.

Leow, who has not followed local politics closely, believed that while Xi was showing support for Leung, deep down, he doubted Leung’s management style.

“Xi will keep a close eye on his performance. It is like parents allowing their kids to go out, but actually they are worried,” Leow said.