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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST
Chinese President Xi Jinping queues up at a bun joint in Beijing

What's the Xi combo that China has been raving about these days?

The common man wave seems to have spread to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a ‘common’ chord when he unexpectedly dropped in at a traditional bun shop in Beijing.

Those present at the eatery were pleasantly surprised as a casually dressed Xi stood in a queue, ordered and paid for a simple lunch of buns stuffed with pork and onions, green vegetables, and stewed pork for 21 yuan. He later sat down and enjoyed his meal in a restaurant filled with diners.

In conservative China, where its leaders rule from a distance, such visits are unheard of. Leaders are rarely seen mingling with the public.

No wonder that patrons at the Qing-Feng Dumpling Shop were thrilled when they found themselves dining in the same room as the president. They hustled to take pictures and videos of Xi on their mobiles, which have now gone viral.

That’s not all. China is now going gaga over the buns made famous by the president. Long queues were seen outside the eatery. Some posed for photos at the table that Xi ate and others ordered what is now being dubbed in the media as the ‘Xi combo.’

Xi has surely earned a few more fans in China.  

'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Xi sits with locals and enjoys a meal in the Beijing restaurant. And he seems to be enjoying the attention as well.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Diners take pictures of steamed buns the President ate on Saturday, at the restaurant.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Visitors take pictures of the table where Xi dined.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Diners pose for pictures with steamed buns that Xi ate.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Staff make steamed buns at the restaurant. The restauraunt has been thronged with visitors after Xi's visit.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Visitors take pictures for remembrance at the Qing-Feng steamed buns restaurant in Beijing.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

Customers line up to buy steamed buns which the Chinese president ate.

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'Aam aadmi' wave in China: Prez Xi's combo meal goes viral!

December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

A serving of food which according to restaurant staff, is similar to what Xi ate when he visited on Saturday, is pictured on a table after it was ordered by a diner at the Qing-Feng steamed buns restaurant in Beijing.

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December 31, 2013 09:38 IST

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