The recently divorced Russian President Vladimir Putin is making waves in China's heavily censored social media by practicing Political Flirting 101. The "political" aspect was when he gifted Chinese President Xi Jinping a Russian smartphone, the dual-screen YotaPhone2, during the ongoing APEC meeting in Beijing.

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The "flirting" aspect was when he gave Xi's wife, First Lady Li Peng his coat, personally draping it over her petite Asian shoulders. Unfortunately for the two, the chivalrous act was caught on camera and became viral in China.

Although the shot inside the Water Cube by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) was wide-angled, the gentlemanly gesture seen by some as "hitting on" the first lady, was also noticed by the CCTV commentator who reported, as quoted by Foreign Policy, "Putin has just placed his coat around Peng Liyuan's body."

In minutes, big Chinese news outlets published the video, while social media giant Sina Weibo shared the clip, giving life to a popular hashtag #Putin Gives Peng Liyuan His Coat. However, the very swift Chinese censors came to the president's rescue and had those posts and articles removed.

But the Chinese censors could not exercise their powers outside of China, so the topic remains trending on Twitter, while several Australia newspapers owned by Fairfax Media have run articles on the Putin-Li Peng encounter with the headline: "Vladimir Putin cracks on to China's First Lady, censors go wild."

Comments on the Putin-Li Peng moment on Foreign Policy range from understanding to critical.

Choices 2014 chided the Web site, saying, "This article is childish, smacks of 5th grade giggling at recess. C'mon try to keep focused on serious issues."

Scott.oar defended the homophobic Russian leader. He noted that the issue is "Much ado about nothing. Putin was being chivalrous, the First Lady found the attention unwonted and embarrassing, and to read any more into this becomes fiction."

Danielleryanj pointed out that Putin did it also to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in another international event, to which Shaej replied, "Maybe he was after Merkel as well J." Hhhhhhhhh999 said he didn't see the coat-sharing incident, but added, "Sure beats GWB giving Angela Merkel an unwelcome back rub."

Oleksander commented, "Putin doesn't have a chance; he's too SHORT!" but china stinky was more understanding and said, "putin is only human, he need a female when IN HEAT."

Putin, who separated from his wife about two years ago, said on Monday at the APEC Summit that Russia places top priority in cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Russia as a part of the Asia-Pacific region has to use those competitive advantages which this swiftly growing center of economic, technological and investment force represents," Russia news agency Tass quoted Putin.

He continued, "In its turn, the development of Siberia and the Far East offers a unique chance for the countries of this powerful region and a possibility to use the opening prospect here and further reinforce their potential."

Tagsli peng, chinese first lady, coat-sharing