This is the second time that Biden has used the term dictator against Xi Jinping. This has angered China. Biden slammed the statement as ‘grossly absurd and irresponsible’.
Biden welcomed Xi Jinping at his Filoli estate, south of San Francisco, and accompanied him to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of the meeting, Biden asked, ‘Do you still consider Xi Jinping a dictator?’ To the question, Biden responded, “Yes, he is a dictator.”
“He is a dictator. He is a man running a communist country. The Chinese government is completely different from ours,” he said.
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This statement has angered China. China responded sharply without mentioning Biden by name. “This statement is completely wrong. It is an irresponsible political provocation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning expressed displeasure on Thursday.
“Some individuals with vested interests are always trying to undermine and provoke US-China relations. It will never fail,” he said.
When the Chinese spy balloon was found in the US, Biden called Xi Jinping a dictator. Asked if there has been a change in his stance, Biden defended his earlier statement.
