- China Reacts to Biden’s “Dictator” Remark
- Biden’s Personal Remark on Xi Jinping
- Mixed Reactions to Biden’s Comments
China retaliated on Wednesday after US Vice President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “dictator,” calling the remarks “absurd” and “provocative” in an unanticipated spat that followed efforts by both parties to de-escalate tensions.
Biden’s remarks were made just one day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilize bilateral relations. Which China claims are at their lowest point since the establishment of formal ties.
Attending a fundraiser in California, Biden stated that Xi was humiliated when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over US airspace earlier this year, making a personal remark about the Chinese leader when Blinken said on Monday that the “chapter” should be closed.
“The reason Xi Jinping was so upset when I shot down that balloon carrying two box cars of spy equipment was that he didn’t know it was there,” Biden explained.
“This is extremely embarrassing for dictators. When they were unaware of what had occurred. That was not intended to be where it was. It was deflected by winds,” Biden added.
In March and October, Xi became China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.
Biden also stated that China “has real economic difficulties.”
A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry described Biden’s remarks as “extremely absurd” and “irresponsible.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said Biden’s remarks contradicted facts, diplomatic protocol, and China’s political dignity.
“They’re an open political provocation,” she said at a press conference.
When asked whether Xi was aware of the balloon’s movements, Mao reiterated China’s previous explanation that the balloon’s passage through US airspace was unintentional and the result of circumstances beyond China’s control.
“Largemouth”
Fudan University’s Centre for American Studies head Wu Xinbo said, “Biden’s big mouth is a loose cannon.”
“China has been emphasizing mutual trust, so Biden’s remarks are very destructive and damaging,” Wu said, adding that the remarks may not completely reverse what Blinken accomplished during his China visit.
Blinken and Xi met on Monday to deescalate Washington-Beijing tensions.
During the first visit by a US secretary of state to China in five years, there were no breakthroughs, but both sides agreed to continue diplomatic engagement with additional visits by US officials in the future weeks and months.
Biden stated on Tuesday evening that US climate envoy John Kerry may travel to China shortly.
Biden said on Monday that Blinken’s trip had improved relations between the two countries.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that Biden’s remarks were “incomprehensible” and contradicted the efforts of his secretary of state to alleviate tensions with Beijing.
Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, “These contradictory manifestations of US foreign policy speak to a substantial element of unpredictability.”
However, that’s their business,” Peskov stated. We have poor relations with the United States of America. Whereas our relations with the People’s Republic of China are excellent.
