President Barack Obama appeared to be chewing gum during the opening remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation summit in China early Tuesday morning.

According to the White House press pool, Obama, seated, "was chewing his Nicorette, it seemed, but mostly hiding it" as the chair opened up the meeting.

Obama chewing gum during APEC speeches? pic.twitter.com/2hOkF8IcfW

— Jon Passantino (@passantino) November 11, 2014

The president came under fire earlier from some in China for the behavior after he emerged from his car at the venue chewing his gum.

"We made this meeting so luxurious, with singing and dancing, but see Obama, stepping out of his car chewing gum like an idler," wrote Yin Hong, a professor of journalism at Beijing's Tsinghua University, according to USA Today.

Obama, who has struggled with smoking throughout his life, is a well known user of Nicorette, a type of gum aimed at helping individuals kick the habit.

This story has been updated.

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter