President Biden Labels Xi Jinping a 'Dictator' Post-Summit, Straining US-China Relations
In a move that could potentially strain diplomatic relations, U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his stance on Wednesday, labeling Chinese President Xi Jinping as effectively a dictator. This statement came on the heels of a carefully orchestrated summit held on the outskirts of San Francisco, which had initially been perceived as a step towards easing tensions between the two nations.
During a solo press conference that followed the four-hour-long talks with Xi, President Biden was questioned about his previous characterization of Xi as a dictator, a term he used back in June. "Look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden responded.
China's response to Biden's remarks was swift and sharp. The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition, with spokesperson Mao Ning condemning the comment as "extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation." Mao criticized the statement without directly naming Biden and warned against attempts to damage U.S.-China relations.
The backdrop of Xi Jinping's consolidation of power in China adds complexity to Biden's remarks. Last March, Xi secured a third term as president in an uncontested election conducted by China's National People's Congress. His reign, often compared to that of Mao Zedong, has been marked by significant policy-making control, a stronger grip on the military, and a notable suppression of media freedoms.
The timing of Biden's comment coincides with Xi's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, where hundreds of protestors took to the streets, voicing their opposition to Beijing's policies in Tibet and Hong Kong.
In June, when Biden initially used the term 'dictator' to describe Xi, China labeled the remarks as absurd and provocative. However, it didn't hinder the countries from engaging in comprehensive discussions aimed at mending their fraught relationship, leading up to their latest meeting.
The blunt labeling of Xi Jinping as a dictator by President Biden post-summit raises questions about the future trajectory of US-China relations. While the meeting was initially seen as a platform for improving ties, Biden's unequivocal stance indicates enduring differences in political ideology and governance that continue to challenge the diplomatic rapport between the two global powers.
