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Nayan Seth

Chinese social media reacted with amusement and disbelief as Britain’s King Charles gave US President Donald Trump a World War II-era British submarine bell as a gift, highlighting differing cultural interpretations of the unusual gesture.
“Gifting a bell isn’t a big deal in Western culture – but it’s quite amusing, as far as we’re concerned!” a user on Chinese social media wrote.
On Tuesday, during his state visit to the United States, King Charles presented Trump with the original brass bell from the HMS Trump, a 1944 British submarine that coincidentally bears his last name.
Plucked from the vessel’s conning tower, the artefact was presented to Trump in a carefully choreographed gesture.
Unveiling the bell during his state dinner speech, the British monarch said: “May it stand as a testimony [sic] to our nations’ shared history and shining future,” before adding a touch of English humour to the proceedings. “And should you ever need to get hold of us, well, just give us a ring,” Charles quipped.

The flattery had its intended effect. Trump stood up, clapped and gave the king a thumbs up.
While many in the West lauded the move as a diplomatic coup, it carried far more complicated connotations in China.
In Chinese, the word for “bell” and “clock” is the same – zhong (zung in Cantonese) – and the phrase “gifting a bell” (song zhong, or sung zung) is a homophone for “attending the dying”.
Consequently, gifting a clock or bell is considered a major social taboo in Chinese culture.
On Chinese social media, internet users were quick to highlight the unintended symbolism.
The hashtag “King Charles gifted a bell to Trump” trended on social media as users acknowledged the cultural differences between China and Western countries.


“We Chinese generally avoid giving bells as gifts, as it carries a negative connotation,” one user wrote. “Gifting a bell = to be with someone in their last moments. Perhaps the UK and US do not have such taboos.”
Another user on the platform mused over what Trump’s reaction would have been to the bell bearing his name, were he to know a little Chinese.
Some also noted the timing of the gift, which arrived just days after a gunman opened fire in Washington at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, attended by Trump and his cabinet.
Federal authorities have charged 31-year-old Cole Allen with the shooting, accusing him of trying to assassinate the president.
While Chinese internet users focused on the grimmer cultural connotations, the “Trump bell” drew mostly positive coverage in the Western press, which highlighted the submarine’s record of sinking Japanese vessels during World War II and praised King Charles’ deft public diplomacy.
The Trump administration hailed the gift, with the White House posting online: “King Charles III presents President Trump with the original bell from the HMS Trump – a valiant WW2 era warship!”


The British embassy in Washington termed it “a bell with history, humour and meaning”, and a reminder of Britain and the US’ “shared wartime history and enduring alliance”.
“From history to partnership, the UK/US relationship continues to ring true,” the post concluded.
Gift exchanges are a routine part of diplomacy, but they have taken on new prominence since Trump’s return to the White House. Foreign leaders and business executives increasingly use personalised gifts and strategic flattery to win over the US president.
And clocks figure in that long list of presents.
In November, Swiss business executives presented Trump with a gold-plated desk clock and an engraved gold bar.
In October, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gave him a replica of an ancient golden crown, while Apple CEO Tim Cook presented a custom-made glass plaque mounted on a 24-karat gold base.
We Chinese generally avoid giving bells as gifts, as it carries a negative connotation. Gifting a bell = to be with someone in their last moments
Chinese internet user
While it worked for many, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s own attempt at flattery was short-lived.
In September, during a lavish state visit to Britain, Starmer presented Trump with a ministerial red box bearing the presidential seal and title, and gave first lady Melania Trump a silk scarf designed by Ukrainian children.
But ties have soured this year, especially over Starmer’s delay in allowing US forces to use its bases in its attacks on Iran, and then his refusal to back Washington’s plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Starmer, at one point remarking: “This is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with.”
King Charles’ visit to the US is another attempt to paper over differences through exchanging presents and lessons in shared history and common cause.


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Why King Charles’ ‘Trump bell’ gift amuses Chinese internet users

King Charles gives a state dinner speech at the White House on April 28, with the ship’s bell bearing the inscription “Trump 1944” to his right. Photo: AP

Britain’s King Charles presents a bell to US President Donald Trump as a gift during a state dinner for the king and Queen Camilla, at the White House on April 28. Photo: Reuters

UK’s King Charles begins historic US state visit shadowed by transatlantic tensions

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host King Charles and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea. Photo: Reuters

King Charles at a garden party hosted by the British ambassador. Photo: AP

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania in the grounds of the White House. Photo: Reuters

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

Britain’s King Charles and US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in September last year. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during Trump’s state visit to Britain last September. Photo: AFP

Queen Camilla, King Charles, US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at a state banquet at Windsor Castle last September. Photo: Reuters

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on the day he was arrested in February. Photo: Reuters

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Britain’s King Charles and US President Donald Trump before the state dinner. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump speaks during the state dinner. Photo: AP

King Charles promotes US-UK bond before Congress at a time of deep divisions

US Vice-President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson applaud King Charles before his address to a joint session of Congress. Photo: AFP

Britain’s King Charles addressing a joint session of Congress. Photo: AFP

Britain’s King Charles points at a bell he presented to US President Donald Trump as a gift during a state dinner. Photo: Reuters

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The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’


The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’.


Why King Charles’ ‘Trump bell’ gift amuses Chinese internet users

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’

The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’