Lee gifts Xi painting of auspicious mythical creature

▲ This photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae shows the painting of imaginary creatures that President Lee Jae Myung gifted to Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing on Jan. 5, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ A Korean traditional ornamental pendant presented by President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung to Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife, Peng Liyuan, is seen in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae on Jan. 5, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Lee-Xi-gift

Lee gifts Xi painting of auspicious mythical creature

By Kim Eun-jung

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung gave Chinese President Xi Jinping a traditional painting symbolizing peace and prosperity as a gift during their summit in Beijing on Monday, in a gesture aimed at promoting friendly ties between the two countries.

During the state dinner at the Great Hall of the People, Lee presented the painting, titled Girindo, which depicts a girin -- a mythical creature believed to signal the arrival of a virtuous ruler and a time of peace and prosperity.

The artwork, measuring 56 centimeters in width and 177 cm in length, was created by artisan Eom Jae-kwon and is a reproduction of an original from the late 19th century. It vividly portrays the girin along with celestial peaches and peonies in rich colors.

Lee also gave Xi a gold-leaf frame crafted by Kim Gi-ho, a state-designated master gold-leaf artisan. Set against a red background, the piece is decorated in gold with dragons that symbolize royalty and dignity.

For Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung prepared a traditional ornamental pendant along with a beauty device.

They also presented a CD featuring songs personally sung by Peng, a former contemporary Chinese singer, as well as a photo album of the Qing Dynasty stone lion statues that South Korea plans to donate to China.

At their first meeting in South Korea last November, Lee had gifted Xi a Go board and a traditional Korean handicraft. In return, Xi presented Lee with a set of Xiaomi smartphones and traditional Chinese calligraphy tools.

Ahead of the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Lee in front of the Great Hall of the People. In honor of his state visit, Chinese soldiers fired a 21-gun salute in Tiananmen Square timed to his arrival.

On the sidelines of the Lee-Xi summit, the two first ladies held a separate tea meeting at the venue, where they talked about food and their shared love of music.

Peng said she felt a sense of closeness to Kim, who majored in piano, and Kim replied that people around her had even suggested a joint performance with the Chinese first lady, vice presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing.

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