Chinese leader Xi Jinping was captured by Canadian broadcasters in a rare candid moment on Wednesday, where he was filmed criticizing his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, over what he described as “leaks” talks.   

  On the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia, Xi chatted with Trudeau in smiling Mandarin.  But the English translation of what he said was a little less friendly.   

  “Everything we have discussed has been leaked to the newspapers, and that is not appropriate,” Xi’s translator said.   

  Trudeau nods and Xi speaks again.  “And that’s not how the conversation went,” said the translator.   

  “If there was sincerity on your part, then we will conduct our discussion with an attitude of mutual respect, otherwise there may be unforeseen consequences,” Xi tells the Canadian leader in Mandarin.   

  Xi’s translator tries to translate what was said, only getting as far as “If there was honesty on your part,” before Trudeau cut him off.   

  “In Canada we believe in free, open and honest dialogue,” Trudeau said, adding “we will continue to work constructively together, but there will be things we disagree on.”   

  “Let’s create the conditions first,” Xi’s translator said in the video.  The Chinese leader then shook Trudeau’s hand and walked away with his entourage.   

  The exchange offers a rare glimpse into how Xi, whose public appearances are highly choreographed, interacts with other leaders.   

  Their exchange comes as Xi seeks to reassert China’s global influence at a summit on the island of Bali after nearly three years off the world stage.   

  China’s relations with allies of the United States have soured to varying degrees in recent years due to rising geopolitical tensions, disputes over trade and the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Beijing’s growing cooperation with Moscow – despite Russia’s war in Ukraine.   

  Xi sought to mend ties at the summit, meeting US President Joe Biden on Monday.  He also held official talks with the leaders of Australia, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Senegal, Argentina, Indonesia and South Korea.   

  Canada did not allow such a meeting, and the embarrassment may be related to the countries’ volatile relationship, since senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was detained in Canada in 2018. Two Canadians were arrested nine days later in China.  All three were released in 2021.