An awkward moment for Joe Biden: Outgoing US president stands in back of APEC group photo

It was an awkward moment for outgoing United States (US) President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)  meeting in Peru. 

On Saturday (Nov 16), President Biden, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and other leaders of the APEC member economies posed for a group photo following the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima.

Biden stands in the back of group photo, Xi in front

Biden awkwardly stood in the back of the group photo while Xi and other prominent world leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood in the front row.

Xi was standing in the front centre of the photo, next to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

Also read: China warns US against crossing 'red line' in supporting Taiwan

A report by Fox News said photographs showed Biden smiling and laughing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra while the family photo was being taken.  

In 2023 meeting, Biden was in the centre of APEC group photo

The photograph's placement of Biden (during the 2024 APEC meeting) departs from where American leaders typically stand. 

Fox News reported that during last year's APEC meeting in San Francisco, Biden was standing at the centre of the group's photo. Trudeau and Xi were on Biden's right.

(With inputs from agencies)