Obama chews gum in China: Some take issue as ‘sign of disrespect’

IT’S a simple habit the President just can’t kick, but it’s landed him in hot water in China after many took it to be a serious sign of disrespect.

NEVERMIND the game-changing announcement on reducing emmissions the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies announced yesterday.

It’s one of President Obama’s bad habits that has caught global headlines: His chewing gum.

The President has been pilliored online by some for his habit, with some bloggers saying he looked like a “hip hop artist” and others slamming it as a sign of disrespect.

Obama chewing gum during APEC speeches? pic.twitter.com/2hOkF8IcfW

— Jon Passantino (@passantino) November 11, 2014

Can't believe what I am seeing, Obama chewing gum whilst meeting with Chinese leaders, WOW what a diplomat! The man is a a disgrace! #tcot

— David (@AussieR00) November 12, 2014

Obama's gum chewing riled the Chinese. I would have thought it was his purple Star Trek jacket. pic.twitter.com/IFWvKd2BeI

— Ben Owen, HRK (@hrkbenowen) November 11, 2014

Charles Krauthammer on Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor called it a sign of his “amateurism and arrogance” which was out of step with the Chinese “deference to diplomacy”.

“In China chewing gum is a sign of disresepect. You’re the President of the United States you step out of a limo you don’t chew gum,” he said.

“It’s not the biggest thing in the world but it does show the combination of the arrogance and amateurism of a President who in year six at an important summit in China shows this kind of disrespect and disregard.”

Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal quoted Chinese bloggers saying the gum was “immature” and must be a sign of nerves for the President.

It’s not the first time the President has been taken to task on the issue as he relies on nicotene gum for “occasional use” after quitting smoking, according to his medical report.

The furore comes as the President held a joint press conference with the Chinese President Xi Jinping to annouce a climate change pledge they had secretly negotiated to significantly reduce emissions, with China opting to cap them for the very first time.

It’s seen as a landmark deal ahead of the United Nations global summit on climate change to be held in Paris at the end of December next year.

Luckily for Obama, the gum-chewing wasn’t the only diplomatic misstep at the APEC conference which brought together leaders from Asia Pacific nations.

MORE: Putin’s motorcade is not really shaped like a giant penis

At one point, much was made of Putin’s gallant move of slipping a blanket over the shoulders of Peng Liyuan - a former People’s Liberation Army singer who held a general’s rank and is now the wife of China’s President.

There was also the seriously sterile handshake between Xi and Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe, who are competing over territory, as well as the tense encounter between the Russian President and Prime Minister Abbott at the family photo and in a private meeting over MH17.

Roll on Brisbane.

What do you want to know about the G20? Email [e-mail]