Game of Thrones: Chinese president Xi Jinping is ‘a fan’ of the show despite it being heavily censored in China

The president is even said to have referenced the show at a recent meeting with foreign visitors in Beijing

Chinese president Xi Jinping is reportedly a Game of Thrones fan, despite the fact the series is heavily censored in the country.

According to the South China Morning Post, the president even referenced the show at a recent meeting with foreign visitors in Beijing. An individual who was present at the meeting claimed Xi said: ”We must all make sure the world we live in does not descend into the chaotic warring seven kingdoms of Westeros.”

It was further reported that those in attendance seemed surprised by the reference, although its context was not given.

Li Keqiang, China’s premier, also made a reference to the HBO series at a summit with Central and Eastern European countries in Dubrovnik, Croatia, earlier this month. Dubrovnik is used as a location to film scenes set in King’s Landing.

The series is heavily censored in China, with much of the violence and sex scenes edited out, but when a Chinese official was asked whether Xi watched the edited or unedited version, he replied that they watched an even more condensed version to fit their schedules. “We call it the diamond version,” added the source.

The trailer for the next episode of season eight – the show’s final season – teases not only the outcome of the big Winterfell battle, but the climactic showdown at King’s Landing.

With one fight out of the way – and three episodes left to go of the HBO series – the characters look set to prepare for what Daenerys is calling “the last war”.

This means that, after two weeks of absence, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is back with Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) by her side – and those who survived the Night King battle will be heading to King’s Landing to remove her from the Iron Throne.